Aged practitioners of orienteering and hiking as a model of healthy aging: physical fitness and quality of life from a randomized clinical trial
Description
Methods: Physical and sports activities in nature have proven to be highly relevant for aged practitioners as they promote vigor, vitality, and well-being. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared the effects between orienteering and hiking modalities, with n=96 participants allocated to three groups: the orienteering group (OG), hiking group (HG), and control group (CG). Tests administered included hand grip strength, chair stand, 6 min walk, chair sit-&-reach, and balance. Systemic blood pressure parameters and resting heart rate were monitored in the pre-test and post-test. Differences were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), and effect size (ES) was calculated. Unpaired and paired tests were employed to assess baseline and post-intervention differences after 24 weeks. Results: This RCT highlights the effects of the interaction between groups and time. The main differences were found in the balance in which the OG, reduced -6.23 seconds, with a variation of 29.9% (ES=0.83), while the HG it to -2.12 seconds (ES=0.49), with a variation of 9.9%. Changes in systolic blood pressure (p=0,014) and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001) parameters were also notable in the OG. Both groups showed a significant intervention effect (p<0.001) compared to the control group, with a large effect size (≥8.0). The quality of life of the intervention groups significantly improved (p<0.001) compared to the control group (p=0.571). Conclusion: Both modalities showed the intervention effect on physical fitness and quality of life, with orienteering demonstrating a greater impact on balance and blood pressure control.
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A parallel-arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) with an open-label design was conducted, involving three groups of aged residing in the community of Porto Alegre/RS (Brazil). The first experimental group followed a defined walking program, referred to as the Hiking Group (HG). The second experimental group participated in an orienteering program (walking + map reading), known as the Orienteering Group (OG). The control group (CG) maintained their usual activities without any intervention. The objective was to investigate potential changes in physical fitness and quality of life in aged practicing orienteering and hiking. Procedures: Participants underwent individual assessments at the study's outset and at 24 weeks, conducted by the same trained researcher with a Ph.D. in sports science. Recorded measures included hemodynamic parameters, functional tests, scale and questionnaire results, sociodemographic characteristics, and quality of life. Questionnaire administration took place in a quiet room with the presence of researchers in physical education and psychology. To acquaint participants with physical assessments, the researcher provided verbal instructions and a practical attempt before each test, demonstrating the task before each attempt. Verbal instructions were given several times before cognitive assessments. Data were collected at the Research and Physical Activity Assessment Laboratory (LAPAFI) of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. Description of Interventions: The intervention spanned 24 weeks, with two sessions per week lasting 60 minutes each. Sessions comprised a 10-minute warm-up, 40 minutes of practice, and concluded with 10 minutes of stretching and reflection. A physical education researcher supervised the groups, conducting joint mobilization exercises and warm-ups before training. Stretching exercises targeting muscle groups involved in walking were also included. Participants were encouraged to engage in moderate to vigorous activities during sessions, aiming for a subjective effort perception (SEP) of 12-13 or a 6-20 rating on the Borg Scale (Borg, 1974). Participant adherence was assessed, considering an attendance rate of 80% as good adherence (Rosado et al., 2021). Participants with low attendance were excluded from the study. Tests and comparisons of blood pressure and heart rate protection parameters, as well as physical tests of endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance, were applied within and between groups in pre- and post-tests. Details of the applied interventions and exams are described in the protocol accessible at https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR99jmmpf.