Only one workout helped older adults lose fat without losing muscle
Key takeaways
- The research compared different exercise intensities in healthy older adults and found that all levels of exercise produced some fat loss.
- "We found that high, medium and low intensity exercises all led to modest fat loss but only HIIT retained lean muscle," said lead author and exercise physiologist Dr.
- The study explored how exercise intensity affects body composition, an important factor in overall health as people age.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
A recent study led by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast (Uni SC) suggests that high intensity interval training (HIIT) could be one of the most effective ways for older adults to reduce body fat while maintaining muscle mass.
The research compared different exercise intensities in healthy older adults and found that all levels of exercise produced some fat loss. However, only HIIT helped participants preserve lean muscle.
"We found that high, medium and low intensity exercises all led to modest fat loss but only HIIT retained lean muscle," said lead author and exercise physiologist Dr. Grace Rose of the University of the Sunshine Coast.