Periodized Aerobic Training between Thresholds Improves Submaximal Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Octogenarians

Cristian Cofre-Bolados; Félix Vidal; Héctor Gutiérrez Espinoza; Ignacio Betancourt-Peters; Pedro A Orihuela; Mikel Izquierdo

doi:10.3390/sports11110219

Periodized Aerobic Training between Thresholds Improves Submaximal Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Octogenarians

Sports (Basel). 2023 Nov 8;11(11):219. doi: 10.3390/sports11110219.

Authors

Cristian Cofre-Bolados¹, Félix Vidal², Héctor Gutiérrez Espinoza³, Ignacio Betancourt-Peters⁴, Pedro A Orihuela⁵, Mikel Izquierdo^{2

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Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Sciences of Physical Activity, Sport and Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile.
² Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
³ Escuela de Fisioterapia, Universidad de las Americas, Quito 170504, Ecuador.
⁴ Departamento de Ciencias Exactas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Sede Tres Pascualas, Concepción 4081339, Chile.
⁵ Laboratorio de Inmunología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9160000, Chile.
⁶ CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

Abstract

Background and aims: The worldwide aging population is expanding, with more individuals living into their 80s. Physiological functions decline gradually with age, compounded by sedentary lifestyles. Incorporating physical activity into daily routine is crucial for maintaining independence. This study aimed to assess a periodized high-intensity aerobic training program (PEZO-BT) in octogenarians, focusing on submaximal ergospirometry effects.

Methods: A total of 48 non-frail octogenarian subjects (12 females, 36 males) were randomized into control and intervention groups. All subjects underwent submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing with gas analysis at baseline, stopping after the respiratory compensation point (RCP). Our intervention group completed a 14-week PEZO-BT aerobic training program. The outcomes were oxygen consumption at first ventilatory threshold (VO₂AT), ventilatory efficiency slope (VE/VCO₂), oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP), oxygen pulse change (ΔVO₂/HR) from anaerobic threshold (AT) to respiratory compensation point (RCP), and power output at anaerobic threshold (POAT).

Results: Mixed ANOVA examined time and treatment effects. If significance emerged, post hoc t-tests were used to compare significances between groups. The homogeneity of variance was assessed using Levene's test. Chi-square tests compared ergospirometry criteria and ventilatory performance within groups. The mean differences at post intervention were significant in VO₂AT (p < 0.001), VE/VCO₂ (p < 0.001), ΔVO₂/HR (p < 0.05), and POAT (p < 0.001), while OUES and COP were not significant (p > 0.05). However, clinical effects were observed in the entire intervention group.

Conclusions: Training improved exercise capacity and workload. Overall, this periodic aerobic and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program yielded significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in previously untrained octogenarians with and without comorbidities. The findings suggest implications for promoting long-term healthy aging.

Keywords: HIIT; aerobic training; cardiorespiratory risk; ergometry; octogenarians; older adults.

Grants and funding

This research received resources from the Vicerrectoria for Research, Development and Innovation of the University of Santiago de Chile. Dicyt, código 022087CB_DAS, categoría Dicyt Asociativo.