12-week multicomponent training in middle-aged and older women: baseline adiposity as an exploratory factor
In 34 women aged 50–72, a 12-week program of HIIT, functional and aquatic exercise was linked to improved aerobic capacity, body composition, metabolic markers and physical performance; the abstract reports greater metabolic improvements in women with high baseline body fat. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Thirty-four women aged 50–72 were assigned to a control group (n = 10) or an exercise group stratified into normal fat (n = 10) and high fat (n = 14). [1]
The abstract reports significant improvements in VO2 max, skeletal muscle mass, fasting insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and functional performance. [1]
Baseline adiposity influenced metabolic adaptations, with greater improvements in the high-fat group; the authors caution that the quasi-experimental design and small sample limit interpretation. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Quasi-experimental study (abstract).
- Population / context
- Middle-aged and older women aged 50–72 years.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- May 15, 2026
Training program compared with habitual lifestyle in women 50–72
The study asked whether a 12-week multicomponent program affects aerobic capacity, body composition, metabolic health and physical performance in middle-aged and older women, and whether baseline body fat percentage modulated the responses. Thirty-four women aged 50–72 were assigned to a control group (n = 10) or an exercise group. The exercise group was stratified into normal fat (n = 10) and high fat (n = 14). The intervention comprised three weekly 60-minute sessions of high-intensity interval training, functional training, and aquatic-based interval and resistance exercises. Controls maintained their habitual lifestyle without structured exercise.
Supporting source [1]
Reported improvements and greater metabolic gains with high baseline fat
The abstract reports significant improvements in VO2 max, skeletal muscle mass, fasting insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and functional performance. Baseline adiposity influenced metabolic adaptations, with greater improvements in the high-fat group. These are reported associations within a small quasi-experimental study, not proof that training causes these changes.
Supporting source [1]
Cautious interpretation due to design and small sample
The authors state that the findings suggest multicomponent training may improve cardiometabolic health and physical performance, but that results should be interpreted cautiously because of the quasi-experimental design and small sample size. The abstract does not report follow-up duration beyond the 12-week program, and the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The study is quasi-experimental with a small sample (34 women), and the abstract does not report follow-up beyond the 12-week program. Reported improvements are associations, not proof of causation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Campos-Hernández C, Romero-García T, Frayde-Gómez H, López-Campos CE, Navarro-Ibarra MJ, Borbón-Román JC, Machado-Parra JP, Porras-Alvarado VE, Oregel-Cortez MI. · europepmc.org · May 15, 2026