The best exercise for over-70s

When you reach your 70s, a regular session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) really does make a difference. HIIT is the most effective form of exercise for people over 70, a new study has found.

Moderate- and low-intensity workouts help people lose fat, but only HIIT also maintained lean muscle mass, say researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.

They tested different exercises on a group of 120 healthy older people with an average age of 72, who followed a supervised exercise program three times a week for three months.

HIIT consists of repeated short intervals of very demanding exercise followed by easier recovery periods during a single session.

Maturitas, 2025; 203: 108763