# Impact of resistance and high-intensity interval training on body composition, physical function, and temporal dynamics of adaptation in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health: a randomized clinical trial

PMID: 40217506
Journal: BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation
Published: 2025 Apr 11
Authors: Cano-Montoya J, Rojas Vargas M, Báez Vargas S, Núñez Vergara C, Martínez Huenchullán S, Gallegos F, Álvarez C, Izquierdo M

## Question

How do 8 weeks of low-volume resistance training and HIIT affect body composition, isometric strength, 6-minute walk performance, responder status, and adaptation timing in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health?

## Summary

This randomized clinical trial compared 8 weeks of low-volume resistance training, cycling HIIT, and usual pharmacological care in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health. HIIT most clearly improved 6-minute walk distance, while resistance training most clearly improved handgrip strength. Body-composition changes were not statistically or clinically strong overall, but responder analyses suggested some participants improved and that early personalization may matter.

## Population

- Thirty-six physically inactive older women with impaired cardiometabolic health analysed across RT, HIIT, and control groups.
- Sample size: 36
- Age: Overall 64 +/- 8.4 years; HIIT 66 +/- 10 years
- Sex: Women only
- Fitness level: Physically inactive by IPAQ.
- Health status: Impaired cardiometabolic health, high BMI, and common hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and medication use.

## Methodology

- Randomized clinical trial with RT, HIIT, and control groups, measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8.
- 8 weeks.
- Government cardiovascular health management program with supervised exercise sessions.
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Cycling HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Work intervals: 8-10 x 1-minute cycling intervals.
- Recovery: 2 minutes active recovery without resistance.
- Sets or repetitions: 8-10 intervals per session.
- Intensity: Modified Borg 8-10.
- Session duration: About 34-40 minutes including 5-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Resistance increased every 2 weeks if Borg intensity was below 8.
- Resistance training and control.
- Modality: Elastic-band resistance training or pharmacological care control.
- Work intervals: RT: 1-minute exercise bouts.
- Recovery: RT: 2-minute rest between exercises.
- Sets or repetitions: RT: biceps curls, seated rows, and wide squats repeated three times.
- Intensity: RT: OMNI-RES 8-10; control: no exercise protocol.
- Session duration: RT session duration not fully summed; control not applicable.
- Frequency: RT: 3 sessions per week; control: usual care.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: RT band resistance progressed every 2 weeks as needed.

## Outcomes

### 6MWT
Status: improved
HIIT significantly improved 6-minute walk distance by week 8.

441.0 +/- 48.9 to 480.0 +/- 53.0 m; p = 0.002; 95% CI 22 to 55 m; d = 0.757.

### Handgrip strength
Status: improved
RT significantly improved handgrip strength; HIIT had responder-level strength improvements in some participants but was not the main group effect.

RT 21.3 +/- 4.4 to 24.37 +/- 3.99 kg; p = 0.027; d = 0.731.

### Body composition
Status: no clear change
No statistically significant or clinically relevant overall body-composition changes were noted.

### Responder prevalence
Status: mixed
HIIT increased responder percentage for 6MWT from 58% at week 4 to 75% at week 8; body-composition responder patterns varied.

HIIT 6MWT responders 58% to 75%.

## Practical Insights

- For older women with cardiometabolic risk, supervised 1-minute cycling intervals can improve walking capacity.
- Responder variability suggests adjusting programs early rather than assuming one fixed dose works for everyone.
- Clinical-risk users need BP stop rules and monitoring.

## Limitations

- Small geographically specific sample.
- Short 8-week intervention.
- Diet and lifestyle factors not objectively controlled.
- Bioimpedance was not gold standard.
- Responder classification assumptions require caution.

## Safety And Adherence

- HR and BP were checked before and after each session.
- Sessions were to be suspended if SBP exceeded 180 mmHg or DBP exceeded 110 mmHg.
- No adverse events were reported in the read sections.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40217506/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01119-0) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11987347/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.