Effects of Low-volume HIIT Versus MICT on Physical Performance in Older Adults With Possible Sarcopenia

NCT05790863 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: HSEARS20221231001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related geriatric syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function. Before the diagnosis of sarcopenia, a "possible sarcopenia" stage has been proposed recently, characterized by low muscle strength or poor physical performance, even with normal muscle mass. The definition of "possible sarcopenia" emphasizes the importance of early intervention. Due to the lack of effective pharmaceutical treatments, exercise is recommended as the most available intervention for sarcopenia. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), a time-efficient aerobic training, has gained increasing popularity for its benefits in physiologic outcomes such as muscle strength and physical functions in other populations. However, the benefits of HIIT have not been well-studied following older adults with possible sarcopenia. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effects of a 7-week HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training (MICT) on physical performance in older individuals with possible sarcopenia. We hypothesize that HIIT will confer physical benefits over MICT (i.e., traditional endurance exercise) and will be generally well-tolerated in older adults. Method: The participants will be randomly allocated into the HIIT or MICT group (1:1 ratio). The participants will receive the training 3 times per week over seven weeks. HIIT consists of 5 bouts of interval training intensity with 1-minute-high intensity (76-90% HRmax) and 1-minute recovery per session (total 15 minutes with warm-up and cool-down). MICT will adopt an intensity of 65-70% HRmax training that lasts less than 30 minutes per session (total 25 minutes with warm-up and cool-down). Evaluation will be performed at baseline, after 4 weeks, and 7 weeks of the intervention. The primary outcomes include 10-meter walking test and the five-time chair stand test. The secondary outcomes include grip strength, the functional stretch test; the Exercise Enjoyment Scale and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale for affective valence. Discussion: This is the first study to investigate the effects of low-volume HIIT on physical performance and affective valence in older adults with possible sarcopenia. This study will provide critical evidence to guide early prevention and intervention of exercise regimens for possible sarcopenia.

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in time of the The 5 repeated sit-to-stand test after 7 weeks of intervention

  The 5 repeated sit-to-stand test is a validated way to reflect the lower limb muscle strength and balance ability of the elderly. Subjects are required to complete 5 times of standing up and sitting down as fast as possible without using handrails or other assistance by crossing the arms in front of the chest. Care should be taken to ensure that the knee joints are completely straight before sitting down. The time of completing test will be recorded. Change=(week 7 time- baseline time)

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change from Baseline in walking speed of the 10 meter-walk test after 7 weeks of intervention

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of intervention

• Change from Baseline in Hand grip strength after 7 weeks of intervention

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of intervention

• Change from Baseline in distance of The functional stretch test after 7 weeks of intervention

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of intervention

• Change from Baseline in score of The Exercise Enjoyment Scale after 7 weeks of intervention

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of intervention

• Change from Baseline in score of The Physical activity enjoyment scale after 7 weeks of intervention

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

High-intensity interval training group

EXPERIMENTAL

Each ergometer cycling training session consists of a warm-up phase lasting two minutes, five interval bouts of one minute each at 77% to 90% of one's HRmax, separated by one minute of passive or low-intensity recovery, and a three-minute cool-down phase. After 4 weeks of the intervention, the minimal intensity that had to be met will be progressively raised (weeks 1-4: 76-85%, weeks 5-7: 85-90%HRmax, respectively). For individuals who are unable to reach 77% HRmax, scores of 15 to 17 (hard to very hard) on the Borg scale will be followed.

Device: Ergometer cycling

Moderate-intensity continuous training group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

During the first four weeks, participants will be advised to modify the pedal cadence and/or resistance of the ergometer to obtain an HR equivalent to 65-70% HRmax, rising to 70-76% HRmax during the final 3 weeks. Each session lasts less than 25 minutes of moderate-intensity continuous ergometer cycling, which starts with a two-minute warm-up and ends up with a three-minute cool-down.

Device: Ergometer cycling

Interventions

Ergometer cycling DEVICE

Paticipants will receive 21 sessions (3 sessions/week) of training for 7 weeks with the arm-leg cycle ergometer (SCIFIT, REX7000, US)

High-intensity interval training group; Moderate-intensity continuous training group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• individuals aged 60 years or older, living in the community
• Able to walk with or without assistive devices
• Recovery from COVID-19 over two months
• With a preliminary screening of SARC-F score ≥4 or calf circumference less than 34cm for man, 33cm for woman will be invited to strength and physical performance measurement
• Handgrip strength less than 28 kg for man, 18 kg for woman and/or gait speed\<1m/s and/or 5-time chair stand test ≥12 s.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to undertake exercise due to neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal limitations
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP\>170 or diastolic BP\>100 mmHg)
• Reported chronic cardiopulmonary insufficiency in medical history
• Reported vital organ failure and malignancy in medical history
• Cognitive impairments (mini-mental test score\<21) with low compliance
• History of lower limb surgeries, fractures, neurological problems, systemic problems, and any other contraindications for aerobic training will be excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Wuhan Brain Hospital

Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, China

Location

Related Publications (9)

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  PMID: 29416382 BACKGROUND

• Jones CJ, Rikli RE, Beam WC. A 30-s chair-stand test as a measure of lower body strength in community-residing older adults. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1999 Jun;70(2):113-9. doi: 10.1080/02701367.1999.10608028.

  PMID: 10380242 BACKGROUND

• Mehmet H, Yang AWH, Robinson SR. What is the optimal chair stand test protocol for older adults? A systematic review. Disabil Rehabil. 2020 Oct;42(20):2828-2835. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1575922. Epub 2019 Mar 24.

  PMID: 30907166 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2023
• First Posted: March 30, 2023
• Study Start: March 7, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 30, 2024
• Study Completion: October 30, 2024
• Last Updated: July 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-12

Locations

CN (1)