The effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on cardiorespiratory function in healthy elderly individuals: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 41517714 · doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000047101
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted via PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar through March 2025. The authors evaluated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on maximal oxygen uptake in healthy elderly individuals using random-effects models to calculate weighted mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
What was found
Across 16 included studies (n = 1,434 participants): - MICT significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake (12 studies: MD = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.53). - HIIT significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake (11 studies: MD = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.13). - In direct comparison trials (7 studies), HIIT yielded significantly greater improvements than MICT (MD = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.82). - Optimal protocol subgroups: MICT was most effective at 3 to 6 months duration, 3 sessions per week, and ≥60 minutes per session; HIIT was most effective at 3 to 6 months duration, 4 sessions per week, and 21 to 39 minutes per session.
Why it matters
This review demonstrates that while both training modalities improve cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults, HIIT achieves greater gains in maximal oxygen uptake in shorter session times.
Limits
The abstract omits measurement units for the oxygen uptake effect sizes (e.g., mL/kg/min), does not report between-study heterogeneity or risk of bias assessments, and is restricted to healthy older adults, limiting applicability to frail populations.
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