Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (14): 2282-2289.doi: 10.12307/2024.235

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of high-intensity interval training with different intervention durations on cognitive function in older adults: a Meta-analysis

Liu Xinxin1, Geng Zhizhong2, Chen Jian1   

  1. 1School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China; 2School of Health Sciences, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
  • Received:2023-02-11 Accepted:2023-03-14 Online:2024-05-18 Published:2023-07-28
  • Contact: Chen Jian, MD, Associate professor, School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
  • About author:Liu Xinxin, Master candidate, School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: With the increasing aging population, the decline of cognitive ability in older adults has received widespread attention. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been applied as an emerging exercise intervention to improve cognitive ability in older adults, but its efficacy is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HIIT intervention on cognitive ability in older adults, in order to provide a theoretical basis for its application in improving cognitive ability in older adults.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials regarding the effect of HIIT on cognitive ability in older adults were retrieved from databases including CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, from the database inception to November 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized controlled trials was used to evaluate the methodological quality, and RevMan 5.3 software was used for the Meta-analysis of outcome indicators in the included literature.
RESULTS: A total of 8 randomized controlled trials, including 4 high-quality and 4 low-quality studies with 369 participants, were included in the Meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that (1) compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), HIIT could effectively improve the maximal oxygen uptake of older adults [weighted mean difference (WMD)=3.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.79, 4.77, P < 0.000 01]. Subgroup analysis showed that with long-term intervention (intervention period ≥ 6 weeks), compared with the MICT group, the HIIT group could significantly improve the executive function [standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.36, 95%CI: 0.20-0.52, P < 0.000 1) and its sub-function inhibition ability (SMD=0.35, 95%CI: 0.17-0.52, P < 0.000 1) of older adults. (2) Compared with the control group, the HIIT group could effectively improve the maximal oxygen uptake of older adults (WMD=6.75, 95%CI: 4.20-9.29, P < 0.000 01), memory (SMD=0.20, 95%CI: 0.03-0.37, P=0.02), executive function (SMD=0.87, 95%CI: 0.52-1.22, P < 0.000 01), and its sub-function inhibition ability (SMD=0.89, 95%CI: 0.46-1.33, P < 0.000 1). Subgroup analysis showed that with long-term intervention (intervention period ≥ 6 weeks), compared with the control group, the HIIT group could effectively improve the executive function (SMD=0.75, 95%CI: 0.41-1.09, P < 0.000 1), its sub-function inhibition ability (SMD=0.50, 95%CI: 0.19-0.81, P=0.002), and switching ability (SMD=1.65, 95%CI: 0.86-2.44, P < 0.000 1). (3) With a single intervention, compared with the control group, the HIIT group could effectively improve the executive function (SMD=1.25, 95%CI: 0.39-2.11, P=0.004) and its sub-function inhibition ability (SMD=2.40, 95%CI: 0.87-3.92, P=0.002).
CONCLUSION: HIIT can effectively improve the executive function and its sub-function inhibition ability of older adults, but has no improvement effect on memory ability. At the same time, long-term HIIT intervention is superior to MICT in improving aerobic capacity and executive function of older adults.

Key words: exercise, high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, older adults, cognitive function, executive function, memory, maximal oxygen uptake, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Meta-analysis

CLC Number: