AgingHIITNCT07170579
Effects of HIIT in Older Adults
A study testing Exercise in people with Aging, run by Instituto Politécnico de Bragança at 1 site in Portugal.
Trial summary
This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on functional fitness in older adults. As people age, they often experience a natural decline in physical abilities such as strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, which can limit their ability to perform daily activities… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging
- What is being tested?
- Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 39 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePortugal
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2024to 20 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years or older
- Able to walk independently without assistive devices
- Sufficient cognitive ability to follow instructions and participate in assessments
- Medically stable and cleared for physical activity by a healthcare provider
- No current participation in structured exercise programs
- Willingness to participate in the intervention and attend scheduled assessments
- Provided written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Individuals younger than 60 years
- Severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or neurological conditions that contraindicate physical exercise
- Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- Recent surgery or hospitalization in the past 6 months
- Severe visual or auditory impairments that limit test performance
- Use of mobility aids (e.g., walker or cane for ambulation)
- Participation in another clinical trial simultaneously
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Functional Fit-ness in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled
This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on functional fitness in older adults. As people age, they often experience a natural decline in physical abilities such as strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, which can limit their ability to perform daily activities independently. Finding safe and effective exercise strategies to maintain or improve these abilities is critical for promoting healthy aging and preserving autonomy.
In this study, older adults participated in a structured HIIT program adapted to their functional capacity. HIIT consists of short bursts of intense physical activity followed by periods of active rest. This type of training is known for improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness in a short period of time.
Read more
Participants were assessed on various aspects of physical function before, during, and after the intervention. Tests included handgrip strength, upper and lower body strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and mobility.
The results showed that HIIT significantly improved physical function in older adults, including increased muscle strength, flexibility, aerobic capacity, and agility. These findings suggest that HIIT can be a safe, efficient, and accessible option to promote health and independence in the aging population.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol on functional fitness in community-dwelling older adults. With the global rise in life expectancy and the associated functional decline in aging populations, there is an increasing demand for time-efficient, evidence-based interventions that can promote physical independence and healthy aging.
Participants aged 60 years or older were recruited and assigned to either a HIIT intervention group or a control group. The HIIT group engaged in supervised training sessions three times per week. Each session included a warm-up, a core HIIT segment with short bursts of high-intensity movements interspersed with active recovery, followed by a cool-down. Exercises were adapted to be safe and appropriate for older adults, focusing on full-body functional movements and performed in a group setting under professional supervision.
Functional fitness was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery and handgrip strength testing. This included assessments of:
- Lower body strength (30-second chair stand)
- Upper body strength (arm curl test)
- Lower body flexibility (chair sit-and-reach)
- Upper body flexibility (back scratch test)
- Agility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go test)
- Cardiorespiratory endurance (2-minute step test)
- Handgrip strength (digital dynamometer, dominant hand)
Measurements were taken at three time points: pre-intervention (M1), midpoint (M2), and post-intervention (M3). Statistical analysis included nonparametric ANOVA-type models (Brunner-Langer), given the non-normal distribution of many outcome variables.
The results indicated statistically significant improvements in the HIIT group for several domains of functional fitness compared to the control group. Notably, participants in the HIIT group showed:
- Increased handgrip strength
- Improved upper and lower limb flexibility
- Enhanced aerobic endurance
- Improved mobility and agility (TUG test)
- Increased upper body strength (arm curl)
These results support the effectiveness of HIIT in improving multiple aspects of physical function among older adults, without the need for resistance machines or prolonged exercise sessions. The findings highlight the feasibility and clinical relevance of using HIIT as a tool to enhance physical independence, prevent disability, and reduce the burden on health systems.
All procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and followed international guidelines (SPIRIT, CONSORT, Declaration of Helsinki). Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all individuals.
- Conditions
- Aging
- Being tested
- Exercise
- Keywords
- High-intensity interval training, functional fitness, older adults, aging, physical exercise, autonomy, activities of daily living
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExerciseOther
Participants engaged in High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions three times per week, each lasting 60 minutes. Sessions included a 10-minute warm-up, a central HIIT block with cycles of aerobic exercises performed at high intensity (30-60 seconds) alternated with active recovery (60-90 seconds), followed by a 10-minute aerobic functional segment and a 10-minute cool-down with stretching. Exercises included modified jumping jacks, stationary marching, high knees, squats, and functional movements tailored to the participants' physical capacity. Training intensity was monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, targeting 13-17 during effort phases and 9-11 during recovery.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| HIIT Group | Experimental | Participants perform high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions three times per week, including aerobic exercises with intervals of effort and recovery, adapted to older adults. Receives: Other: Exercise |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants maintain their usual daily activities and do not receive any structured exercise intervention during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test The 2-Minute Step Test assesses aerobic endurance. Participants are instructed to march in place for two minutes, raising the knees to a target height midway between the kneecap and hip. The number of steps completed with the right knee reaching the target is counted.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Secondary outcomes (6)
Handgrip strength (kg)
Maximal isometric strength of the dominant hand measured using a digital handgrip dynamometer (JAMAR®). Participants performed three attempts with 30-second rest intervals; the highest value was recorded.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Upper body strength (Arm Curl Test)
Number of repetitions performed using a 2 kg dumbbell (women) or 3 kg (men) in 30 seconds, with the dominant arm.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Lower body strength (30-Second Chair Stand)
Number of full sit-to-stand repetitions completed in 30 seconds, without using arms.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Upper body flexibility (Back Scratch Test)
Distance (in cm) between the middle fingers when reaching behind the back, one hand over the shoulder and the other up the middle of the back.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Lower body flexibility (Chair Sit-and-Reach Test)
Distance (in cm) from fingertips to toes while sitting on a chair and reaching toward the foot with one leg extended.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Agility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG)
Time (in seconds) taken to rise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down again.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Apr 2024
- Primary completion15 Jun 2025
- Study completion20 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, André Schneider, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07170579
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2067313
- Acronym
- HIIT
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Functional Fit-ness in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07170579
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HIIT / 2067313
- Conditions
- Aging
- Keywords
- High-intensity interval training, functional fitness, older adults, aging, physical exercise, autonomy, activities of daily living
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Instituto Politécnico de BragançaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on functional fitness in older adults. As people age, they often experience a natural decline in physical abilities such as strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, which can limit their ability to perform daily activities independently. Finding safe and effective exercise strategies to maintain or improve these abilities is critical for promoting healthy aging and preserving autonomy.
In this study, older adults participated in a structured HIIT program adapted to their functional capacity. HIIT consists of short bursts of intense physical activity followed by periods of active rest. This type of training is known for improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness in a short period of time.
Participants were assessed on various aspects of physical function before, during, and after the intervention. Tests included handgrip strength, upper and lower body strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and mobility.
The results showed that HIIT significantly improved physical function in older adults, including increased muscle strength, flexibility, aerobic capacity, and agility. These findings suggest that HIIT can be a safe, efficient, and accessible option to promote health and independence in the aging population.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol on functional fitness in community-dwelling older adults. With the global rise in life expectancy and the associated functional decline in aging populations, there is an increasing demand for time-efficient, evidence-based interventions that can promote physical independence and healthy aging.
Participants aged 60 years or older were recruited and assigned to either a HIIT intervention group or a control group. The HIIT group engaged in supervised training sessions three times per week. Each session included a warm-up, a core HIIT segment with short bursts of high-intensity movements interspersed with active recovery, followed by a cool-down. Exercises were adapted to be safe and appropriate for older adults, focusing on full-body functional movements and performed in a group setting under professional supervision.
Functional fitness was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery and handgrip strength testing. This included assessments of:
- Lower body strength (30-second chair stand)
- Upper body strength (arm curl test)
- Lower body flexibility (chair sit-and-reach)
- Upper body flexibility (back scratch test)
- Agility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go test)
- Cardiorespiratory endurance (2-minute step test)
- Handgrip strength (digital dynamometer, dominant hand)
Measurements were taken at three time points: pre-intervention (M1), midpoint (M2), and post-intervention (M3). Statistical analysis included nonparametric ANOVA-type models (Brunner-Langer), given the non-normal distribution of many outcome variables.
The results indicated statistically significant improvements in the HIIT group for several domains of functional fitness compared to the control group. Notably, participants in the HIIT group showed:
- Increased handgrip strength
- Improved upper and lower limb flexibility
- Enhanced aerobic endurance
- Improved mobility and agility (TUG test)
- Increased upper body strength (arm curl)
These results support the effectiveness of HIIT in improving multiple aspects of physical function among older adults, without the need for resistance machines or prolonged exercise sessions. The findings highlight the feasibility and clinical relevance of using HIIT as a tool to enhance physical independence, prevent disability, and reduce the burden on health systems.
All procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and followed international guidelines (SPIRIT, CONSORT, Declaration of Helsinki). Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all individuals.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| HIIT Group | Experimental | Other: ExerciseParticipants perform high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions three times per week, including aerobic exercises with intervals of effort and recovery, adapted to older adults. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants maintain their usual daily activities and do not receive any structured exercise intervention during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years or older
- Able to walk independently without assistive devices
- Sufficient cognitive ability to follow instructions and participate in assessments
- Medically stable and cleared for physical activity by a healthcare provider
- No current participation in structured exercise programs
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Individuals younger than 60 years
- Severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or neurological conditions that contraindicate physical exercise
- Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- Recent surgery or hospitalization in the past 6 months
- Severe visual or auditory impairments that limit test performance
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ExerciseParticipants engaged in High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions three times per week, each lasting 60 minutes. Sessions included a 10-minute warm-up, a central HIIT block with cycles of aerobic exercises performed at high intensity (30-60 seconds) alternated with active recovery (60-90 seconds), followed by a 10-minute aerobic functional segment and a 10-minute cool-down with stretching. Exercises included modified jumping jacks, stationary marching, high knees, squats, and functional movements tailored to the participants' physical capacity. Training intensity was monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, targeting 13-17 during effort phases and 9-11 during recovery. | Other | HIIT Group |
Primary outcome
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test The 2-Minute Step Test assesses aerobic endurance. Participants are instructed to march in place for two minutes, raising the knees to a target height midway between the kneecap and hip. The number of steps completed with the right knee reaching the target is counted.
6 secondary outcomes
Handgrip strength (kg)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Upper body strength (Arm Curl Test)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Lower body strength (30-Second Chair Stand)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Upper body flexibility (Back Scratch Test)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Lower body flexibility (Chair Sit-and-Reach Test)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Agility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise in people with Aging, run by Instituto Politécnico de Bragança at 1 site in Portugal.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Portugal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test (time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Sep 2025.