HIIT is most effective than mict on glycemic control of older people with glucose metabolism impairments: A systematic review and metanalysis

Abstract

Introduction: Physical exercise can improve glucose metabolism; however, the best type, volume, intensity, and frequency aren't knowledge. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), an emergent exercise type implicated as a short time-efficient exercise to improve metabolic health, needs more investigation regarding the traditional Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT).

Objective: To identify the effects of MICT and HIIT on glycemic control of older people with glucose metabolism impairments.

Methods: Our research question was based on the PICO model and the systematic review of the literature according to the guidelines of the preferred report items for systematic reviews and PRISMA meta-analyses. An extensive search was conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scielo databases. Only English language papers were included. The keywords used were "HIIT and metabolism of the elderly", "HIIT and glucose metabolism of the elderly", and "MICT and metabolism of the elderly", which were crossed with the Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" or both according to the guidelines of the PRISMA.

Results: Seventy papers were retrieved in the initial search. After applying all inclusions and exclusion parameters, 63 articles were excluded. In the end, six papers were classified as eligible for this study. All data categorically demonstrates that both HIIT and MICT can improve glucose metabolism with a larger effect size towards the HIIT model after the meta-analysis, pointing to HIIT as the most effective strategy.

Conclusion: Both modalities can improve glucose metabolism in the elderly with a clear advantage for HIIT over MICT.

Keywords: Exercise for Older People; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; High-Intensity Interval Training; Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training.