Effect of short and long moderate-intensity exercises in modifying cardiometabolic markers in sedentary Kenyans aged 50 years and above

Objectives We compared effects of shorter moderate-intensity exercise time (<10 min bouts) on cardiometabolic parameters with the current recommendations among elderly adults. Methods Fifty-three sedentary individuals aged >= 50 years were divided into exercise groups(1): male and(2) female short-duration bouts (M-S and F-S, respectively), and(3) male and(4) female long-duration bouts (M-L and F-L, respectively). Short-duration bouts consisted three 5-10 min moderate-intensity jogging sessions daily, and long-duration bouts consisted 30-60 min sessions 3-5 days weekly. Cumulative exercise times were equivalent. Physical activity (PA) was measured by log and activity monitors. Fasting venous blood at baseline and 8 weekly intervals was used for blood chemistry. Results After 24 weeks, M-S and F-S with total cholesterol (TC) of >5.2 mmol/L and >5.3 mmol/L decreased from 22.2% to 14.8% and from 30.9% to 11.5%, respectively. For M-L, this decreased from 25.9% to 3.7%, while F-L had 0% change. In M-S and M-L, TC/high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) of >5.0 mmol/L dropped from 22.2% to 7.4% and from 22.2% to 15.4%, respectively. In F-S and F-L, TC/ HDL of >4.5 mmol/L declined from 19.2% to 7.7% and from 19.2% to 3.8%, respectively. M-S and M-L with fasting blood glucose of >= 5.5 mmol/L declined from 40.7% to 11.1% and from 33.3% to 3.7%, respectively. Similarly, it declined from 46.2% to 0% and 42.3% to 11.5% for F-S and F-L, respectively. There were no differences in the changes between regimes throughout the study. Conclusion Bouts lasting <10 min per session are as good as those lasting;>= 30 min in improving cardiometabolic profiles of sedentary adults aged >= 50 years.