Can 2 Weeks of High Intensity Interval Training in Healthy 65-85 Year-olds Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness? (2WkHIT)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03331679 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : November 6, 2017
Last Update Posted : March 12, 2019
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Cardiorespiratory Fitness | Behavioral: HIIT | Not Applicable |
The percentage of people aged >65 y in the United Kingdom increased from 15% in 1985 to 17% in 2010, an increase of 1.7 million people. One age-associated physiological change is the reduction in vascular function that is observed, both at the levels of the large arteries and the muscle microvasculature. In itself this vascular dysfunction is associated with reduced aerobic performance. Cardiorespiratory fitness (marked by aerobic performance) has been shown to be an independent predictor of postoperative mortality, which provides more accurate prognostic information than age alone. In contrast, physical activity can reverse elements of pathophysiology associated with these conditions, including vascular dysfunction. Nonetheless, major roadblocks to exercise as a strategy to combat age-associated vascular dysfunction and associated conditions exist, such as poor exercise tolerance and "lack of time".
The aim of this study is to investigate whether if novel low-volume, time-efficient training strategies can improve indices of vascular health and cardiorespiratory performance in older individuals with a view towards improving their fitness for surgery. Numerous studies have demonstrated that periods of supervised exercise training effectively improve indices of cardiorespiratory (blood pressure, aerobic capacity and blood lipids and vascular function. However, the majority of these studies were conducted using high-volume continuous submaximal aerobic training (e.g. 50-65% VO2max for 30-60 min) or moderate to high volume progressive weight training. This research group have recently shown the efficacy of a time-efficient exercise strategy known as HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training, for improving VO2 max and muscle mass in young individuals with heightened metabolic disease risk and also demonstrated significant improvements in VO2 max comparable to classic aerobic exercise training using several different time-efficient HIIT protocols in as little as 4 weeks. This study aims to quantify the benefits of 2 weeks of HIIT.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 10 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Exploring Time Efficient Strategies to Improve Fitness for Surgery in Older Adults- Two Weeks HIIT |
Actual Study Start Date : | January 23, 2018 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | August 1, 2018 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | December 1, 2018 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: 2 Wk HIIT
2 weeks of High Intensity Interval Training
|
Behavioral: HIIT
2 Weeks of High Intensity Interval Training on a Cycle ergometer |
- Anaerobic Threshold [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]Anaerobic Threshold as measured at standard CPET conducted according to ATS/ACCP statement (measured in ml/Kg/min)
- VO2 Peak [ Time Frame: 2 Weeks ]Maximum volume of oxygen consumed at CPET conducted according to ATS/ACCP statement (measured in ml/Kg/min)
- Whole-Body Lean Mass [ Time Frame: 2 Weeks ]Measured by DEXA (Kg)
- Body Fat percentage [ Time Frame: 2 Weeks ]Measured by DEXA
- Leg Lean Mass [ Time Frame: 2 Weeks ]Measured by DEXA (Kg)
- Handgrip Strength [ Time Frame: 2 Weeks ]Maximum voluntary contraction

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 65 Years to 85 Years (Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Healthy Volunteer aged 65-85
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current participation in a formal exercise regime
- BMI < 18 or > 32 kg·m2
- Active cardiovascular disease:
- uncontrolled hypertension (BP > 160/100),
- angina,
- heart failure (class III/IV),
- Significant arrhythmia,
- right to left cardiac shunt,
- recent cardiac event
- Taking beta-adrenergic blocking agents,
- Cerebrovascular disease: previous stroke, aneurysm (large vessel or intracranial)
- epilepsy
- Respiratory disease including: pulmonary hypertension, Significant COPD, Uncontrolled asthma, Metabolic disease: -hyper and hypo parathyroidism, -untreated hyper and hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, type 1 or 2 diabetes
- Active inflammatory bowel or renal disease
- Malignancy
- Clotting dysfunction
- Significant Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
- Family history of early (<55y) death from cardiovascular disease

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03331679
United Kingdom | |
Medical School | |
Derby, United Kingdom, DE22 3DT |
Responsible Party: | University of Nottingham |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03331679 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
A12092016 amendment 4 |
First Posted: | November 6, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 12, 2019 |
Last Verified: | March 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Undecided |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |