# Enhancing functional capacity in older adults with short session high intensity interval training

> **NIH VA I21** · VA WESTERN NEW YORK HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Enhancing functional capacity in older adults with short session high intensity interval training
 Frailty is a condition of poor physiological reserve that increases susceptibility to falls,
hospitalization, disability and mortality. The incidence of frailty rapidly increases after the age 65,
growing from 10% to as many as 50% of those 85 years or older; therefore over 9 million veterans are
either frail or at risk for frailty. Exercise has proven benefits for frailty, yet older adults rarely attain the
recommended 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise. High intensity interval training (HIIT)
is emerging as an alternative as it delivers similar or better gains than moderate intensity exercise in less
time. Recently, we published that a 3-day-a-week, 10-minute HIIT regimen in aged mice not only reduces
frailty, but leads to both strength and endurance benefits. In addition, our preliminary data demonstrate
significant changes in microRNA (miRNA) profiles. Despite the potential of short session HIIT to
improve functional capacity and lead to better
adherence, the modality has not been tested
in individuals 65-85 years of age, and in
particular, frail individuals. The goals of this
proposal are to: 1) investigate the feasibility of
recruiting and administering short session
HIIT to frail, pre-frail, and non-frail older
veterans and 2) to characterize the physical
performance benefits and serum microRNA
(miRNA) profiles in those participants.
 To accomplish our goals we will administer a short session HIIT regimen totaling only 10-
minutes, 3-days-a-week for 3 months, using recumbent exercise cycles, to 65-85 year-old participants.
We will also utilize next generation RNA-sequence technology to assess HIIT impacts upon microRNA
profiles in serum samples. We anticipate our project will demonstrate the feasibility of administering
short session HIIT to older individuals, including vulnerable frail and pre-frail populations as well as
demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze serum miRNA profiles. The advantages to this program
are the ability to maintain or build muscle mass and improve aerobic conditioning, especially in older
HIIT enhances physical performance and reduces frailty
during aging.
patients where frailty and sarcopenia are so prevalent. This pilot project will therefore lay the foundation
for future clinical trials that further explore the utility of HIIT to prevent or delay the onset of frailty in
larger cohorts, and ultimately lead to the enhancement of functional capacity and quality of life in our
aging veteran populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9831579
- **Project number:** 5I21RX002902-02
- **Recipient organization:** VA WESTERN NEW YORK HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Bruce R. Troen
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-10-01 → 2021-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9831579

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9831579, Enhancing functional capacity in older adults with short session high intensity interval training (5I21RX002902-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9831579. Licensed CC0.

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