Older Veterans Show How Fitness Intensity Boosts Health

A pilot study at the Buffalo Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center found the frailty of older veterans was much reduced through high-intensity interval training, reports the Buffalo News . A study is part of a larger initiative by researchers at the University at Buffalo (UB) and the VA to find ways to help people enjoy healthier, more functional lives as they age. "We're looking for exercise that will be more exciting, and when you look at high-intensity interval training, there are published studies that show even a single minute a few days a week can have benefits," said UB Professor Kenneth Seldeen. The study involves tracking veterans for 10 minutes as they ride a recumbent bike three times a week. They pedal for three minutes at 50 percent of maximum oxygen volume, followed by one minute at 80 percent and one minute back at 50 percent three times straight, with another 60-second push at 80 percent at the end. Participants learned that these four daily minutes boosted their oxygen capacity and improved their cardiovascular systems.