Front Aging. 2026 Feb 16;7:1728121. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2026.1728121. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Physical exercise can significantly impact chronic disease prevention and health promotion in older adults. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the association between participation in a multidisciplinary physical exercise program and cardiovascular health outcomes in older adults over 6 years.
METHODS: The Active Life circuit resistance training program incorporated aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises delivered in a community-based setting. While the Active Life Program was prospectively planned and implemented as a 6-year community-based intervention, the present study is a retrospective analysis of participants selected based on adherence (≥75% attendance) and availability of complete data from a digital platform. Thirty participants (n = 30; mean age 70.2 ± 5.4 years) completed the program, with 30 sedentary controls (n = 30) included for comparison. Eligibility criteria included age ≥60, presence of chronic cardiovascular risk factors, and ability to engage in moderate physical exercise. A concurrent sedentary control group (attendance <25%) was selected from the same eligible population. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed at 6-month intervals.
RESULTS: Compared to the sedentary group, the Active Life group demonstrated significantly lower systolic arterial pressure (p = 0.0009, η2 = 11.53%), with an average between-group difference of 10.5 ± 2.4 mmHg over the 1.5-6.0-year period. A significant reduction in the triglyceride-to-HDL-C ratio was observed starting at 2.5 years (p = 0.0146, η2 = 7.09%). Additionally, the Active Life group exhibited lower triglyceride levels (p = 0.0134, η2 = 5.73%; average difference: 33.9 ± 5.8 mg/dL) and fasting glucose levels (p = 0.0163, η2 = 6.23%; average difference: 16.1 ± 4.9 mg/dL) over the 3.0-6.0-year period compared to controls. No significant differences were observed in diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-C, or HDL-C.
CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis suggests that sustained participation in a circuit resistance training program may be associated with favorable cardiovascular and metabolic profiles in older adults. However, given the non-randomized design, small sample size, and potential selection bias, these findings should be considered preliminary and exploratory. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these associations and establish causality.
PMID:41777559 | PMC:PMC12950730 | DOI:10.3389/fragi.2026.1728121