The use of accelerometry to evaluate the BMX cycling starting hill. Effect of the Q-Ring™ on the acceleration profile.

Accelerometers are becoming popular in sport performance, as they are easy to wear, affordable, and usable in the field. Eccentric chainrings have been commercialised to improve pedalling performance, but little is known about their possible effects in the first pedal strokes (PS) of maximal sprint starts. To analyse the effects of the Q-Ring chainring (Q) on pedalling mechanics and performance in the BMX starting hill, 12 Spanish-National-Team BMX athletes performed 3 maximal sprints comparing Q vs No-Q. Time was measured in the first three meters. Acceleration output was registered with a triaxial 6 g accelerometer (200 Hz) in the first four PS. Discrete time, acceleration and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) were used to compare between conditions. Q showed no improvement in performance, despite a force-application time increasing (p = 0.013, ES = 0.39) and a reduction in the dead spot time (p = 0.028, ES = -0.73). Time after the four PS was greater (p = 0.006, ES = 0.63), and 3-m time did not change. Likewise, SPM 1D comparison showed no differences along the four PS. Therefore, accelerometry confirms its potential to evaluate pedalling technique in BMX, where Q-Ring fails to improve the pedalling mechanics in the starting hill.

Impact of Ageing on Female Metabolic Flexibility: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study in over-60 Active Women.

BACKGROUND: Ageing affects metabolic flexibility, although physical status could influence this relationship. This cross-sectional study aims to describe and analyse the metabolic flexibility/inflexibility in a group of active older women, together with the impact of ageing and physical status on their oxidation rates and maximal fat oxidation (MFO). METHODS: Fifteen volunteers (69.00 ± 6.97 years)-from 24 women-completed an incremental cycling test until the second ventilatory threshold. Intensity increased 10 W each 3 min 15 s, starting at 30 W. Gas exchange, heart rate, rate of perceived effort, pain scale and muscle power were registered, together with lactate. VO2 and VCO2 were considered for fat and carbohydrate oxidation (FATox and CHOox; Frayn's equation) at intensities 60%, 80% and 100% from the peak power in the test (P100). Psychophysiological parameters were compared at MFO/FATmax and P100, together with the energy expenditure calculations around MFO (included FAT and CHO contributions), and the main correlation analyses, with and without P100 and VO2 as covariates. RESULTS: FATox was low at MFO (0.13; 95% CI [0.09-0.17] mg/min/kgFFM; 3.50; 95% CI [2.49-4.50] mg/min/kgFFM), with short oxidation-rate curves shifting down and leftward. CHOox and FATox were both low for reduced power with age (77.14 ± 18.58 W and 39.29 ± 9.17 W at P100 and MFO, respectively), all accompanied by a fall in energy expenditure (5.44 ± 2.58 kcal/min and 3.32 ± 1.55 kcal/min at P100 and MFO, respectively). Power appears as a determinant factor, given its strong and negative significant association with age (r = - 0.85, p < 0.005; R2 = 0.72) and moderate with MFO (r = - 0.54, p = 0.04; R2 = 0.29). In turn, energy expenditure shows a positive and moderate association with muscle power (r = 52, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the drop in substrates oxidation with age, physical status (i.e. larger muscular power and energy expenditure) suggests a key role in the preservation of metabolic health with ageing in active women.

Metabolic Flexibility and Mechanical Efficiency in Women Over-60.

Purpose: Aging deteriorates metabolic flexibility (MF). Moreover, recent studies show that glycolysis is barely increased despite impoverished lipid metabolism, in addition to increased relevance of muscle power in older adults. This study aims to analyze MF, i.e., fat and carbohydrates oxidation rates (FATox and CHOox), and the point of maximal fat oxidation (MFO), in a group of active women over-60. It also aims to delve into the role of power production and mechanical efficiency regarding MF. This will help to decipher their metabolic behavior in response to increasing intensity. Methods: Twenty-nine women (66.13 ± 5.62 years) performed a submaximal graded cycling test, increasing 10 W each 3-min15-s, from 30 W to the second ventilatory threshold (VT2). Muscle power was adjusted with a Saris-H3 roller, together with a continuous gas analysis by indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K4b2). Pre and post-test blood lactate (BLa) samples were included. Frayn's equations, MFO and CHOoxpeak (mg/min/kg FFM) were considered for MF analysis (accounting for average VO2 and VCO2 in each last 60-s), whilst delta and gross efficiencies (DE%, GE%), and exercise economy (EC), were added for Mechanical Efficiency. Mean comparisons regarding intensities 60, 80 and 100% at VT2, completed the study together with correlation analysis among the main variables. Results: MFO and CHOoxpeak were small (6.35 ± 3.59 and 72.79 ± 34.76 g/min/kgFFM respectively) for a reduced muscle power (78.21 ± 15.84 W). Notwithstanding, GE% and EC increased significantly (p < 0.01) with exercise intensity. Importantly, coefficients of variation were very large confirming heterogeneity. Whilst muscle power outcomes correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with MFO (r = 0.66) and age (r = -0.62), these latter failed to be associated. Only GE% correlated to CHOoxpeak (r = -0.61, p < 0.01) regarding mechanical efficiency. Conclusions: Despite being active, women over-60 confirmed impaired substrates switching in response to exercise, from both FAT and CHO pathways. This limits their power production affecting exercise capacity. Our data suggest that decreased power with age has a key role above age per se in this metabolic inflexibility. Vice versa, increasing power seems to protect from mitochondrial dysfunction with aging. New studies will confirm if this higher efficiency when coming close to VT2, where GE is the more informative variable, might be a protective compensatory mechanism.

Contra el sedentarismo, la cronicidad y el mal envejecimiento,programas de actividad física/ejercicio / Against sedentary lifestyle, chronicity and bad aging: physical activity/exercise programs

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Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction Compared to Traditional Resistance Training on Strength and Muscle Mass in Non-Active Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Low-intensity training with blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) has been suggested as an alternative to high-intensity resistance training for the improvement of strength and muscle mass, becoming advisable for individuals who cannot assume such a load. The systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of the LI-BFR compared to dynamic high-intensity resistance training on strength and muscle mass in non-active older adults. A systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook and reportedly followed the PRISMA statement. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus databases were searched between September and October 2020. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias and the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach. Twelve studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Meta-analysis pointed out significant differences in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC): SMD 0.61, 95% CI [0.10, 1.11], p = 0.02, I2 71% p < 0.0001; but not in the repetition maximum (RM): SMD 0.07, 95% CI [-0.25, 0.40], p = 0.66, I2 0% p < 0.53; neither in the muscle mass: SMD 0.62, 95% CI [-0.09, 1.34], p = 0.09, I2 59% p = 0.05. Despite important limitations such as scarce literature regarding LI-BFR in older adults, the small sample size in most studies, the still differences in methodology and poor quality in many of them, this systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a positive benefit in non-active older adults. LI- BFR may induce increased muscular strength and muscle mass, at least at a similar extent to that in the traditional high-intensity resistance training.

Exploring Potential Benefits of Accumulated Multicomponent-Training in Non-Active Older Adults: From Physical Fitness to Mental Health.

The present study aimed to analyze the impact of a multicomponent training (MCT) program in a group of non-active older adults, comparing two different dose distributions. Twenty-four individuals, assigned to two groups, completed 15 weeks of MCT (2 days/week). The continuous group (CMCT; n = 14, 9 females; 71.07 ± 5.09 years) trained for 60 min/session in the morning. The accumulated group (AMCT; n = 10, 5 females; 72.70 ± 3.59 years) performed the same exercises, volume, and intensity, but the training was distributed twice per day (30 min in the morning; 30 more in the afternoon). Bonferroni post hoc comparisons revealed significant (p < 0.001) and similar large improvements in both groups in lower limb strength (five times sit-to-stand test: CMCT, 12.55 ± 2.83 vs. 9.44 ± 1.72 s; AMCT, 10.37 ± 2.35 vs. 7.46 ± 1.75 s). In addition, there were large gains in preferred walking speed and instrumental daily life activities, which were higher for CMCT and AMCT, respectively (in this order: 1.00 ± 0.18 vs. 1.44 ± 0.26 m/s and 1.09 ± 0.80 vs. 1.58 ± 0.18 m/s; 33.07 ± 2.88 vs. 36.57 ± 1.65 points and 32.80 ± 1.93 vs. 36.80 ± 0.92 points); improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, now moderate for CMCT (474.14 ± 93.60 vs. 529.64 ± 82.76 m) and large for AMCT (515.10 ± 20.24 vs. 589.60 ± 40.38 m); and medium and similar enhancements in agility in both groups (TUG test: CMCT: 7.49 ± 1.11 vs. 6.77 ± 1.16 s; AMCT: 6.84 ± 1.01 vs. 6.18 ± 0.62 s). None of the protocols had an impact on the executive function, whereas health-related quality of life showed a trend to significance in the whole sample only (EQindex overall sample, p = 0.062; d = 0.48 CMCT; d = 0.34 AMCT). Regardless of the type of dose distribution, starting multicomponent training improves physical function in non-active older adults, but does not improve cognitive function at mid-term. Because both forms of MCT showed similar compliance, slightly positive differences in accumulated strategies may indicate some benefits related to breaking afternoon sedentary behaviors, which deserves further research in longer and larger interventions. The mixed nature of MCT suggests accumulative group interventions may be a promising approach to address sedentary aging.

Multicomponent Physical Exercise Training in Multimorbid and Palliative Oldest Adults.

Exercise counteracts aging and pathology symptoms, but there is still scarce research on exercise programs for multimorbid and/or palliative old patients (MPO-Ps). In order to analyze whether the multicomponent physical-cognitive training is beneficial for this population, 17 MPO-Ps (81.59 ± 5.63 years) completed a >26 weeks home-based intervention (20-50 min/session, three sessions/week). Twenty-eight supervised and thirty-two autonomous sessions were gradually distributed along three phases: supervised training (ST), reduced supervision training (RST), and autonomous training (AT). Physical function (gait speed, hand grip and lower-limb strength, balance, and agility), mental status (MMSE), and autonomy in daily living (the Barthel Index) were assessed. Categorical analyses regarding the changes in the walking aids used in the test were added to improve the assessment of strength and agility along the intervention. Despite important study limitations, such as the small sample size and lack of a control group, and despite the MPO-Ps' very low baseline fitness and initial exercise intolerance, they benefited from the dual-tasking approach, especially in autonomy, lower-limb strength, and balance. Agility improvements were shown only by categorical analyses. As expected, most benefits increased the supervision (ST phase). Gait speed and cognitive status maintained despite the total autonomy in training in the last phase. Further research with larger samples should confirm if multicomponent physical-cognitive exercise, individualized and tailored on daily-basis, together with technical assistance and medical supervision, benefits this MPO-Ps population, and if it can be prescribed to them with security, in spite some of them already being palliative patients.

Hypovitaminosis D in Young Basketball Players: Association with Jumping and Hopping Performance Considering Gender.

This study aimed to verify whether a group of young well-trained basketball players presented deficiencies in vitamin D concentration, and to analyze whether there was an association between vitamin D concentration and jumping and hopping performance. Gender differences were considered. Twenty-seven players from an international high-level basketball club (14 female, 16.00 ± 0.55 years; 13 male, 15.54 ± 0.52 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Rate of force development was evaluated by means of the Abalakov test (bilateral: AbB; right leg: AbR; left leg: AbL); and the triple hop test (right leg: THR; left leg: THL). Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and nutritional status. Vitamin D insufficiency was found in both women (29.14 ± 6.08 ng/mL) and men (28.92 ± 6.40 ng/mL), with no gender differences regarding nutritional scores. Jumping and hopping performance was confirmed to be significantly larger in males (AbL, THR, and THL p < 0.005), whose CV% were always smaller. A positive correlation was found between AbB and vitamin D (r = 0.703) in males, whereas this correlation was negative (-0.611) for females, who also presented a negative correlation (r = -0.666) between THR and vitamin D. A prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was confirmed in young elite athletes training indoors. Nutritional (i.e., calciferol) controls should be conducted throughout the season. Furthermore, whilst performance seems to be affected by low levels of this vitamin in men, these deficiencies appear to have a different association with jumping and hopping in women, pointing to different performance mechanisms. Further studies accounting for differences in training and other factors might delve into these gender differences.

Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Association With Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults.

The main purpose of this study was to explore similarities and differences in the association between two capabilities affecting the cardiorespiratory system (overall and multifactorial cardiorespiratory fitness and inspiratory muscle strength) and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), in a group of active healthy seniors. Sixty-five individuals (age, 73.01 ± 5.27 years; 53 women) who participated regularly in a multicomponent training program completed the EuroQol 5D-5L questionnaire, the 6-min walking test (6MWT), and the maximum inspiratory pressure test (MIP). Non-parametric correlations (Spearman's rho) were conducted to analyze the association between HRQoL indices (EQindex and EQvas), MIP, and 6MWT, considering both, the whole sample and men and women separately. Furthermore, partial correlation was made by controlling age and sex. We found a moderate association between HRQoL and cardiorespiratory fitness (EQvas: r = 0.324, p = 0.009; EQindex: r = 0.312, p = 0.011). Considering sex, relationship EQvas-6MWT decrease to small (r = 0.275; p = 0.028) whereas EQindex-6MWT remained moderated (r = 0.425; p = 0.000). When we considered women and men separately, the association between HRQoL and 6MWT appeared only in women, while the observed strong trend (p = 0.051) toward a large and positive association between EQindex and MIP, mediated by the covariate age, appeared only in men. Conversely to the cardiorespiratory fitness, MIP is not a limiting factor of HRQoL in healthy active elderly. Moreover, MIP and HRQoL should be included in the assessment of exercise interventions because they provide different information about the cardiorespiratory system deterioration. Similarly, EQvas and EQindex confirm to be complementary in the assessment of HRQoL. Furthermore, like aging process is different for men and women, the association between MIP and cardiorespiratory fitness with HRQoL may behave differently, so keeping on research these associations could help to improve training programs for this population.

120 min/week of neuromotor multicomponent training are enough to improve executive function and functional fitness in older women.

PURPOSE: The study aimed at comparing the effects of a neuromotor multicomponent training program (MCTP) on executive function, functional fitness, blood pressure, body composition and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), compared with a concurrent strength and endurance exercise training program (CONTROL-EXE) and a cognitive training program (CONTROL-COG). METHODS: 56 older women (73 ± 6 years) completed the 30-weeks intervention. The three groups attended two 60-min sessions per week and they were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: MCTP showed a moderate improvement in Stroop C condition (28 ± 7 vs 32 ± 8 correct items; p = 0.001; d = 0.53) and Stroop interference score (-7.4 ± 7.3 vs -3.7 ± 6.1; p = 0.035; d = 0.55), while no changes were observed among control groups. MCTP showed a small to moderate improvement in Timed Up and Go test (TUGT) (5.85 ± 0.58 vs 5.46 ± 0.56 s; p < 0.001; d = 0.71) and Chair-Stand test (CST) (18 ± 4 vs 19 ± 4 repetitions; p < 0.001; d = 0.47); while CONTROL-EXE only improved moderately at TUGT (7.02 ± 1.1 vs 6.44 ± 0.91 s; p = 0.005; d = 0.59) and CONTROL-COG showed a moderate to small worsening in TUGT, CST and handgrip strength. Additionally, MCTP enhanced body composition and HRQOL. Lastly, both exercise groups showed lowered blood pressure values. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a neuromotor MCTP could be considered as a highly suitable training to enhance executive function, functional fitness, HRQOL and body composition in older women.

Obesidad y ejercicio físico en adultos / Obesity and physical exercise in adults

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Multicomponent Exercise Training Combined with Nutritional Counselling Improves Physical Function, Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles in Obese Children: A Pilot Study.

Aerobics or strength exercise plus diet interventions have been shown to counteract childhood obesity. However, little is known with regard to periodized multicomponent exercise interventions combined with nutritional counselling, which might be less demanding but more enjoyable and respectful of children and adolescents' nature. In order to analyze the impact of such a multimodal approach, 18 obese children (10.8 ± 1.6 years; 63% females; z Body Mass Index 3 ± 0.4) trained for 60 min, twice weekly and were measured for body composition, biochemical parameters and physical function. We found that 16 weeks of multimodal intervention (14 of training), based on fun-type skill-learning physical activities and physical conditioning with challenging circuits and games, together with nutritional counselling, led to an attendance > 80%, with significant overall health improvement. Body composition was enhanced (p < 0.01 for z BMI, mid-upper-arm-circumference, waist-to-height ratio, tricipital and subscapular skinfolds, body-fat % by Slaughter equation and Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body fat% and trunk fat%), as well as metabolic profile (LDL cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase , alanine aminotransferase ; p < 0.05), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; p < 0.05) and inflammatory response (C-Reactive Protein; p < 0.05). Physical fitness was also improved (p < 0.01) through better cardiovascular test scores and fundamental movement patterns (Functional Movement Screen-7, FMS-4). Tailoring multimodal supervised strategies ensured attendance, active participation and enjoyment, compensating for the lack of strict caloric restrictions and the low volume and training frequency compared to the exercise prescription guidelines for obesity. Nutritional counselling reinforced exercise benefits and turned the intervention into a powerful educational strategy. Teamwork and professionals' specificity may also be key factors.

Physical exercise in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Dementia is one of the greatest global challenges for health and social care in the 21st century. Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is by no means an inevitable consequence of growing old. Several lifestyle factors may increase, or reduce, an individual's risk of developing AD. Much has been written over the ages about the benefits of exercise and physical activity. Among the risk factors associated with AD is a low level of physical activity. The relationship between physical and mental health was established several years ago. In this review, we discuss the role of exercise (aerobic and resistance) training as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment and prevention of AD. Older adults who exercise are more likely to maintain cognition. We address the main protective mechanism on brain function modulated by physical exercise by examining both human and animal studies. We will pay especial attention to the potential role of exercise in the modulation of amyloid ß turnover, inflammation, synthesis and release of neurotrophins, and improvements in cerebral blood flow. Promoting changes in lifestyle in presymptomatic and predementia disease stages may have the potential for delaying one-third of dementias worldwide. Multimodal interventions that include the adoption of an active lifestyle should be recommended for older populations.

Continuous Compared to Accumulated Walking-Training on Physical Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Sedentary Older Persons.

The present study aimed to analyze the impact of overground walking interval training (WIT) in a group of sedentary older adults, comparing two different dose-distributions. In this quasi-experimental and longitudinal study, we recruited twenty-three sedentary older adults (71.00 ± 4.10 years) who were assigned to two groups of WIT. The continuous group (CWIT) trained for 60 min/session in the morning, while the accumulated group (AWIT) performed the same duration and intensity of exercise, but it was distributed twice a day (30 min in the morning and 30 more in the afternoon). After 15 weeks of an equal external-load training (3 days/week), Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons revealed significant (p < 0.050) and similar large improvements in both groups in cardiorespiratory fitness and lower limb strength; even larger gains in preferred walking speed and instrumental daily life activity, which was slightly superior for CWIT; and improvements in agility, which were moderate for CWIT and large for AWIT. However, none of the training protocols had an impact on the executive function in the individuals, and only the AWIT group improved health-related quality of life. Although both training protocols induced a general significant improvement in physical function in older adults, our results showed that the accumulative strategy should be recommended when health-related quality of life is the main target, and the continuous strategy should be recommended when weakness may be a threat in the short or medium term.

Evaluation of impact-shock on gait after the implementation of two different training programs in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Gait is negatively affected with increasing age. It is widely accepted that training produces physical-functional improvements in older adults, which can be assessed with numerous physical-functional tests. However, very few studies have been carried out using accelerometry to analyse the training effect on kinetic and kinematic variables in older adults, and there is no one that investigate the effects of two different training programs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the effects of an interval-walking program and a multicomponent program on the acceleration impacts, shock attenuation, step-length, stride frequency, and gait speed in older adults. METHODS: 23 participants were divided into multicomponent training group [n = 12, 7 female, 71.58 (4.56) years] and interval-walking group [n = 11, 6 female, 69.64 (3.56) years]. We evaluated the participants using three triaxial accelerometers, placing one on the distal end of each tibia and one on the forehead. FINDINGS: After 14 weeks' of training, the maximum acceleration values both for the head accelerometer and for the non-dominant tibia, as well as the attenuation in the same leg, increased in the multicomponent training group. The maximum acceleration values for the head and the stride frequency also increased in the interval-walking group. Lower limb strength improved in both groups. INTERPRETATION: Given the benefits we found for each of these programs, we encourage their consideration when planning older adults training programs and suggest that multicomponent programs should be introduced prior to the start of walking-based programs.

Short and Long-Term Trainability in Older Adults: Training and Detraining Following Two Years of Multicomponent Cognitive-Physical Exercise Training.

Despite the benefits of multicomponent physical-cognitive training programs (MCCogTPs), lower training intensities in the concurrent approach, and bigger heterogeneity with aging, suggest the need for long-term analyses, with special attention to training and detraining in older adults. The present study aims to examine these training/detraining effects in a two year MCCogTP, looking for specific dynamics in the trainability of their physical and cognitive capacities. The intervention was divided into four periods: T1, T2 (8 months of training each), and D1, D2 (3.5 months of detraining plus 0.5 of testing each). Twenty-five healthy seniors (70.82 ± 5.18 years) comprised the final sample and were assessed for cardiovascular fitness (6-minutes walking test), lower-limbs strength (30-seconds chair-stand test) and agility (8-feet timed up-and-go test). Inhibition (Stroop test) was considered for executive function. Physical and cognitive status improved significantly (p < 0.05) throughout the two years, with larger enhancements for physical function (mainly strength and agility). Strength and cardiovascular fitness were more sensitive to detraining, whilst agility proved to have larger training retentions. Inhibition followed an initial similar trend, but it was the only variable to improve along D2 (d = 0.52), and changes were not significant within periods. Notwithstanding aging, and the exercise cessation in D2, physical and cognitive status remained enhanced two years later compared to baseline, except for lower-limb strength. According to these results, basic physical capacities are very sensitive to training/detraining, deserving continuous attention (especially strength). Both reducing detraining periods and complementary resistance training should be considered. Additionally, physical enhancements following MCcogTPs may help cognition maintenance during detraining.

Strategies to change body composition in older adults: do type of exercise and dose distribution matter?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze changes in sedentary elderlies' body composition, comparing the impact of two dose distributions: continuous (60 min/session) vs. accumulated (30 min/session in the morning and 30 min/session in the afternoon), on two types of physical exercise programs (multicomponent-training [MCT] vs. walking interval-training [WIT]). METHODS: Forty-six sedentary overweight elderly (71.3±4.3 years) were evaluated by bioimpedance with a pre-post 2x2 factorial design. Participants were distributed in four homogeneous groups, considering gait and health parameters. RESULTS: The overall sample showed significant improvements in fat mass (% and kg) and fat-free mass (kg) following 15 weeks of training. There was a main effect of "type of exercise" and a moderating effect of "dose distribution" reflected in the interaction of both factors. Bonferroni analyses of the type*dose interaction revealed significant improvements in all groups, except for MCT-accumulated, on both body composition compartments. CONCLUSIONS: Starting exercise training, properly periodized and supervised by physical-education trainers, improves body composition of sedentary elderlies regardless of the type of exercise. Accumulated strategies were beneficial only when applied to WIT. Although MCT training improves body composition with only 2 days/week, WIT-accumulated could be a key element in the design of weight control policies looking for breaking sedentary behaviors.

Changes in plantar pressure and spatiotemporal parameters during gait in older adults after two different training programs.

BACKGROUND: Improving gait is in exercise programs for older adults (OAs) but little is known about how different gait-training approaches affect spatiotemporal parameters and plantar pressure distributions in OAs. High plantar pressures are linked to tissue injury risk, ulceration, and pain in OAs, but no studies have yet compared how they affect podobarometric variables. RESEARCH QUESTION: The effect of changing plantar pressure on absolute and mean maximum pressure, the pressure-time integral, stride time, stance time, and gait speed in OAs following either a multicomponent training program (EG) or interval-walking training (WG). METHODS: Comfortable gait speed, strength (seat-to-stand test), and plantar pressure (Pedar-X mobile in-shoe system), were evaluated in 23 OAs (EG: n = 12, 7 female, 71.58 ± 4.56 years; WG: n = 11, 6 female, 69.64 ± 3.56 years), by dividing the plantar area into 9 regions. RESULTS: After 14 weeks, the maximum pressure in medial and central metatarsus areas in the dominant leg were reduced in the EG (p = 0.01 &p = 0.04, respectively), but increased in the non-dominant leg lateral heel in the WG (p = 0.03). The mean maximum pressure also increased in the WG in medial heel in the dominant leg (p = 0.02) and lateral heel in the non-dominant leg (p = 0.03). The overall pressure-time integral reduced in the whole plantar area in both legs in both groups. WG reduced stride time (dominant: p = 0.01; non-dominant: p = 0.01) and stance time (dominant: p < 0.005; non-dominant: p < 0.005). Gait speed did not change in any group. As expected, lower limb strength improved after both exercise programs (EG: p = 0.02; WG: p = 0.01). SIGNIFICANCE: Although these training interventions were short, they indicate the importance of exercise types. Our results suggest that OAs might benefit from periodized training, especially when multicomponent programs are introduced prior to the walking goals. Future, larger studies should explore situations in which special populations with specific foot problems might benefit from these interventions.