Compensation in movement behaviours following exercise of different intensities in older adults

Abstract

The overall purpose of this thesis was to assess compensation in movement behaviours of older adults following exercise. Participants (n=28, 69.7±6.5 years) completed the following exercise protocols in random order, one week apart: moderate continuous exercise (MOD), high intensity interval exercise (HI), and sprint interval exercise (SPRT). A thigh-worn device (ActivPALTM) was used to measure movement behaviours at baseline (two weeks prior to exercise), day zero (the day of exercise), and the subsequent three days. Overall, compensation was observed in all movement behaviours but sleep. It appears that the greatest compensation occurred following SPRT, with increases in ST and decreases in LPA and MVPA. Fatigue could explain this compensation. Higher intensity exercise appears to have a more profound effect on future movement behaviour patterns than moderate intensity. This has important implications for prescribing high intensity exercises in older adults as it may increase ST, decrease LPA and displace current MVPA.