Functional and neuromotor performance in older adults: effect of 12 wks of aerobic exercise

There is little information regarding the effect of aerobic exercise on physical and neuromotor performance in older adults. The aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to determine the effects of a 12-wk aerobic exercise program on functional and neuromotor performance in inactive healthy older adults.

A total of 22 inactive healthy older adults, aged 60-75 yrs, voluntarily participated in the study and were randomly assigned to a progressively increased high-intensity aerobic exercise group (n = 12) or to a control group (n = 10). The aerobic exercise group exercised three times per week for 12 wks on nonconsecutive days. Both groups were evaluated before and after the exercise period in the one-repetition maximum of knee extensors and flexors, 6-min walk distance, chair-rising time, and whole-body reaction time.

Multivariate analysis of variance repeated measures (2 x 2) revealed significant (P < 0.05) time by group interaction for one-repetition maximum knee extension and flexion strength, 6-min walk distance, chair-rising time, and whole-body reaction time. For the aerobic exercise group, the following variables improved significantly (P < 0.05) after the exercise period: the one-repetition maximum knee extensors (12%) and flexors (19%) muscle strength, 6-min walk distance (17%), chair-rising time (8%), and whole-body reaction time (20%). No significant differences were observed in the control group.

The results of the present study show that short-term progressively increased high-intensity aerobic exercise improved the physical and neuromotor performance in inactive healthy older adults. These findings suggest that the participation in a progressively increased high-intensity aerobic exercise program may improve mobility and ability to carry out activities of daily living in older adults.