Older adults recently discharged from the hospital: effect of aerobic interval exercise on health-related quality of life, physical fitness, and physical activity

Objectives: To compare the effect of high-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIA) with home-based exercise (HB) in older adults with chronic disease soon after discharge from the hospital.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Hospital.

Participants: Community-dwelling older adults aged 70 to 92 (N = 115) were recruited while in the hospital. After discharge, they were randomized to HIA group (n = 59) or HB (n = 56).

Intervention: High-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIA) consisted of endurance, strength, and balance exercises. The HB consisted of low-intensity exercises and telephone follow-up from a physical therapist.

Measurements: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey, physical fitness was measured using the Senior Fitness Test, and physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.

Results: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that both groups improved their HRQOL and physical activity after 3 months. Improvements on the Senior Fitness Test (chair stand, arm curl and 6-minute walk (6MWT)) were significantly greater in the HIA group than the HB group. The mean difference was 25.9 m on the 6MWT (P = .001, effect size d = 0.2), 1.3 per 30 seconds on the chair stands mean (P = .001, effect size d = 0.3), and 1.6 per 30 seconds on the arm curl (P = .001, effect size d = 0.4).

Conclusion: High-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIA) participants significantly improved their physical fitness. Both groups increased their HRQOL and physical activity. The findings suggest that exercise therapy should be incorporated as a part of the treatment for older people at risk for functional decline.