High-intensity functional exercise
High-intensity functional exercise has been studied in 11 papers since 2016: 6 trials in people, 2 reviews; 3 in the past year. The newest paper, Sep 28, 2026: “INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT FALLS AND FRACTURES IN NURSING HOMES: A SYSTEMIC LITERATURE REVIEW”.
11 papers study it14 findingsUpdated
See all 11 papers on high-intensity functional exercise
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 4 independent labs in 4 countries.
“There was no difference between groups for the improvement in EMS from admission to discharge (effect size -0.07, 95% confidence interval: -0.26 to 0.11, P = 0.446)”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 4 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: Vetenskapsrådet and 7 more
- Human trial6
Studies in people
5 studies gave high-intensity functional exercise to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Improves physical functionp < 0.05, d = 1.97 up: Improves dual-task performancep < 0.05, d = 2.36 (sit-to-stand), d = 2.76 (walk) down: Decreases menopausal symptomsp < 0.05 | Randomized trial8 weeks | 40 peopleWomen50-65Postmenopausal women; postmenopausal | BMC women's health, Jun 1, 2026 |
no change: Has no effect on backward walking speedtest 1) 0.005 m/s, P = .788 and -0.006 m/s, P = .754 and test 2) 0.030 m/s, P = .231 and 0.015 m/s, P = .569 up: Improves backward walking speed0.094 m/s, P = .027 | Randomized trial4 and 7 months | Bothmean 85 yearsThe oldest old; in people with dementia living in nursing homes | Gait & posture, Jan 13, 2021 |
no change: Has no effect on cognitive functionMMSE -0.27 (95% CI -1.4 to 0.87, p = 0.644) at 4 months; -1.15 (95% CI -2.32 to 0.03) at 7 months no change: Has no effect on executive functionVF -0.53 (95% CI -1.42 to 0.35, p = 0.241) at 4 months; -0.18 (95% CI -1.09 to 0.74) at 7 months | Randomized trial4 months | 141 peopleBothmean age of 85 yOlder adults; people with dementia living in nursing homes | Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD, Jan 1, 2017 |
no change: Has no effect on mobilityeffect size -0.07, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.11, P = 0.446 no change: Has no effect on discharge destinationP = 0.904 down: Decreases therapist treatment time31-205 min/week saved | Randomized trialthree times a week | 468 peopleBothmean 84.3 yearsOlder adults; group programme combined with individual physiotherapy versus individual physiotherapy alone | Age and ageing, Dec 10, 2016 |
up: Improves balanceBBS 4.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.6 up: Improves activities of daily living independence and balance | Randomized trial4 months | 186 people65 and olderOlder adults; older adults with dementia in residential care | Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Jan 1, 2016 |
What did studies of high-intensity functional exercise find?
12Studies of high-intensity functional exercise measured 12 outcomes; the most studied are backward walking speed (1 study), urogenital symptoms (1) and menopausal symptoms (1).
Backward walking speed
upin humans1no changein humans1
1 study
Backward walking speed
upin humans1no changein humans1
High-intensity functional exercise improves backward walking speed in participants who habitually walked unaided, interaction at 7 months (0.094 m/s, P = .027).
“exercise effects differed significantly between participants who habitually walked unaided compared with those that used a walking aid at 7 months (0.094 m/s, P = .027)”
Human trialin participants who habitually walked unaided, interaction at 7 months7 months
Exercise effects on backward walking speed in people with dementia: A randomized controlled trial
Gait & posture
High-intensity functional exercise showed no clear effect on backward walking speed in people with dementia living in nursing homes (test 1) 0.005 m/s, P = .788 and -0.006 m/s, P = .754 and test 2) 0.030 m/s, P = .231 and 0.015 m/s, P = .569).
“Linear mixed models showed no between-group effect in either backward walking speed test at 4 or 7 months”
Human trialin people with dementia living in nursing homes4 and 7 months
Exercise effects on backward walking speed in people with dementia: A randomized controlled trial
Gait & posture
Urogenital symptoms
no changein humans1
1 study
Urogenital symptoms
no changein humans1
High-intensity functional exercise showed no clear effect on urogenital symptoms in humans (postmenopausal) (p > 0.05).
“No significant differences were observed between the groups in SPPB balance, MRS urogenital symptoms, or MSQOL sexual problems (p > 0.05).”
Human trialpostmenopausal8 weeksfemalesn = 40
BMC women's health
Menopausal symptoms
downin humans1
1 study
Menopausal symptoms
downin humans1
High-intensity functional exercise decreases menopausal symptoms in humans (postmenopausal) (p < 0.05).
“Significant improvements were also observed in somatic and psychological subparameters and total MRS scores, as well as in all MSQOL subparameters except sexual problems (p < 0.05).”
Human trialpostmenopausal8 weeksfemalesn = 40
BMC women's health
Dual-task performance
upin humans1
1 study
Dual-task performance
upin humans1
High-intensity functional exercise improves dual-task performance in humans (postmenopausal) (p < 0.05, d = 2.36 (sit-to-stand), d = 2.76 (walk)).
“In addition, significant improvements were observed in dual-task performance in the HIFE group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Large effect sizes were observed for the 30-second sit-to-stand test (d = 2.36) and the 4-meter walk test (d = 2.76).”
Human trialpostmenopausal8 weeksfemalesn = 40
BMC women's health
Physical function
upin humans1
1 study
Physical function
upin humans1
High-intensity functional exercise improves physical function in humans (postmenopausal) (p < 0.05, d = 1.97).
“The HIFE group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in SPPB total score, including 4-meter walk and chair sit-to-stand performance, compared with the control group (p < 0.05, d = 1.97).”
Human trialpostmenopausal8 weeksfemalesn = 40
BMC women's health
Executive function
no changein humans1
1 study
Executive function
no changein humans1
High-intensity functional exercise showed no clear effect on executive function in humans (people with dementia living in nursing homes) (VF -0.53 (95% CI -1.42 to 0.35, p = 0.241) at 4 months; -0.18 (95% CI -1.09 to 0.74) at 7 months).
“A 4-month, high-intensity functional exercise program had no superior effects on global cognition or executive function in people with dementia living in nursing homes when compared with an attention control activity.”
Human trialpeople with dementia living in nursing homes4 months
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
Cognitive function
no changein humans1
1 study
Cognitive function
no changein humans1
High-intensity functional exercise showed no clear effect on cognitive function in humans (people with dementia living in nursing homes) (MMSE -0.27 (95% CI -1.4 to 0.87, p = 0.644) at 4 months; -1.15 (95% CI -2.32 to 0.03) at 7 months).
“Linear mixed models showed no between-group effects in mean difference from baseline (95% confidence intervals, CI) at 4 months in MMSE (-0.27; 95% CI -1.4 to 0.87, p = 0.644)”
Human trialpeople with dementia living in nursing homes4 months
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
Therapist treatment time
downin humans1
1 study
Therapist treatment time
downin humans1
High-intensity functional exercise decreases therapist treatment time in humans (group physiotherapy versus individual physiotherapy alone) (31-205 min/week saved).
“Therapists saved 31-205 min/week treating group participants compared with control participants”
Human trialgroup physiotherapy versus individual physiotherapy alonen = 468
Age and ageing
Discharge destination
no changein humans1
1 study
Discharge destination
no changein humans1
High-intensity functional exercise showed no clear effect on discharge destination in humans (P = 0.904).
“no difference in discharge destination, P = 0.904”
Human trialgroup programme combined with individual physiotherapy versus individual physiotherapy alonen = 468
Age and ageing
Mobility
no changein humans1
1 study
Mobility
no changein humans1
High-intensity functional exercise showed no clear effect on mobility in humans (effect size -0.07, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.11, P = 0.446).
“There was no difference between groups for the improvement in EMS from admission to discharge (effect size -0.07, 95% confidence interval: -0.26 to 0.11, P = 0.446)”
Human trialgroup programme combined with individual physiotherapy versus individual physiotherapy alonen = 468
Age and ageing
Activities of daily living independence and balance
upin humans1
1 study
Activities of daily living independence and balance
upin humans1
High-intensity functional exercise improves activities of daily living independence and balance in humans (participants with non-Alzheimer's dementia).
“Positive between-group exercise effects were found in participants with non-Alzheimer's dementia according to the FIM at 7 months and BI and BBS at 4 and 7 months.”
Human trialparticipants with non-Alzheimer's dementia4 months
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Balance
upin humans1
1 study
Balance
upin humans1
High-intensity functional exercise improves balance in humans (older adults with dementia in residential care) (BBS 4.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.6).
“A significant between-group effect on balance favoring exercise was observed at 4 months (BBS=4.2, 95% CI=1.8-6.6).”
Human trialolder adults with dementia in residential care4 monthsn = 186
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
What is high-intensity functional exercise linked with?
1Studies link high-intensity functional exercise with 1 measure, most often falls (1 study).
Falls
downin humans1−69% likelihood of moderate and severe falls
1 study
Falls
downin humans1−69% likelihood of moderate and severe falls
High-intensity functional exercise lowers the risk of falls in humans (nursing homes) (-69% likelihood of moderate and severe falls).
“Participants in high-intensity functional exercise were 69% less likely to experience moderate and severe (including fractures) falls.”
Reviewnursing homes
INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT FALLS AND FRACTURES IN NURSING HOMES: A SYSTEMIC LITERATURE REVIEW
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