Short-term community-based exercise programs in low-income older women: Does exercise intensity and modality matters?

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of community-based exercise program (CBEP) intensity and modality on anthropometric, hemodynamic, and functional capacity parameters in low-income older women. Forty insufficiently active older women (68.2 ± 7.9 years) were randomly assigned to perform 12 weeks of twice-weekly high-intensity interval training combined with resistance training (HIIT+RT/n = 12), moderate-intensity continuous training combined with resistance training (MICT+RT/n = 13), or resistance training alone (RT/n = 15). Anthropometric (body mass index and waist circumference), hemodynamic (blood pressure and heart rate), and functional capacity variables (flexibility, upper and lower limb muscle strength, and mobility) were assessed before and after training programs. Waist circumference reduced similarly after all CBEP (~3 to ~4 cm; P < 0.05). Tendency toward reduction in diastolic blood pressure (~4 mm Hg; P = 0.073), and improvements in flexibility (14.5%, P = 0.011) and handgrip strength (15.8%; P = 0.02) were found only in HIIT+RT. Indeed, only RT was effective to improve five-time sit to stand (14.1%; P = 0.013). No significant difference between groups was found during follow-up in any variable. The results of present study suggest that low-income older women may improve anthropometric, hemodynamic and functional capacity variables by participating in twice-weekly short-term (i.e.: 12 weeks) CBEP. However, the CBEP-effects on hemodynamic and functional capacity appears to be affected by exercise intensity (only HIIT+RT tended toward improving diastolic BP) and modality (only RT improved significantly five-time sit to stand), respectively.