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Published on: October 17, 2018
Impact of a Multidomain Outdoor Exercise Intervention on Cardiovascular Health and Functional Capacity for Healthy
Antonio Manuel García-Llorente1, Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado2,3, Antonio Jesús Casimiro-Andújar1,3,4
1SPORT Research Group (CTS-1024), CIBIS (Centro de Investigación para el Bienestar y la Inclusión Social) Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain.
This study shows that a 18-week multidomain outdoor exercise program significantly improved cardiovascular health and functional capacity in older adults, highlighting its potential for healthy aging initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Population aging necessitates effective and scalable interventions for older adults.
- Cardiovascular and functional health decline with age, increasing health risks.
- Multidomain exercise programs offer a promising approach to mitigate age-related decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an 18-week multidomain outdoor exercise program.
- To assess effects on cardiovascular outcomes, including blood pressure.
- To determine changes in functional capacity, such as walking distance.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 52 older adults (mean age 66.0 years).
- Intervention group: twice-weekly 60-minute outdoor sessions (resistance, aerobic, balance, cognitive exercises).
- Control group: no intervention.
Main Results:
- Intervention group showed significant reductions in systolic (17.4 mmHg) and diastolic (9.2 mmHg) blood pressure (p < 0.001).
- Significant improvement in the Six-Minute Walk Test (64.7 m, p < 0.001).
- Modest improvements in body fat percentage and visceral fat, though not significant between groups.
Conclusions:
- The ACTIVA-Senior outdoor exercise program yielded clinically meaningful improvements in cardiovascular function and functional capacity.
- Scalable outdoor exercise interventions show strong potential for promoting healthy aging.
- Findings support integrating structured outdoor exercise into public health strategies for older adults.
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