Choriocapillaris Density Remains Constant in Healthy Older Adults After 24 Weeks of High-Speed Circuit Training.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to assess the changes in choriocapillaris perfusion density (CCD) after 24 weeks of structured high-speed circuit resistance training (HSCT) in healthy older adults.

METHODS

A total of 30 healthy, cognitively normal adults, 60 years old and above, were recruited for the study. The participants were randomized to either the HSCT group (n = 15) or the control group (CON, n = 15). The HSCT group trained 3 times a week on non-consecutive days for 24 weeks, while the CON group did not perform formal training. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to image both eyes of each study participant at baseline and 24-week follow-up. The follow-up session was completed within 3 days of the last exercise session for the HSCT group. The CCD was measured within a 2.5-mm in diameter centered on the fovea.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in CCD between baseline and 24-week follow-up in either the HSCT group or the CON group. In the HSCT group, the CCD was 62.6 ± 6.1% (mean ± SD) at baseline and 63.7 ± 6.1% at the 24-week follow-up (p = 0.21). In the CON group, the CCD was 62.8 ± 5.6% at baseline and 63.8 ± 4.9% at 24 weeks (p = 0.18).

CONCLUSION

CCD was unchanged after a 24-week high-speed circuit resistance training in healthy older individuals, suggesting possible regulatory maintenance of choroidal blood flow. Further research with multiple age cohorts may be necessary to corroborate these findings.