Multicomponent physical exercise on body composition, cardiorespiratory capacity and balance in people with vestibular hypofunction: preliminary results of the Exervest study

Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the effects of a multi-component exercise programme in people with vestibular hypofunction (VH) on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and balance. Material and method: People with VH (n = 45) were randomised into a control care group (CG, treatment as usual) and an exercise group (EG, 2 days per week, 60 min/day, with a multi-component programme including aerobic endurance, resistance training, and balance). Before and after eight weeks of intervention, all participants were assessed for body composition [body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM)], CRF with a peak cardiopulmonary exercise test [peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak)] and balance with the Modified Dynamic Gait Index (MDGI) test. Results: After the intervention EG decreased %FM (P = 0.041, Δ = -4.4%) and increased %FFM (P = 0.041, Δ = 2.2%), increased VO2peak both in relative (mL∙kg.1∙min-1, P = 0.007, Δ = 9.9%) and absolute values (L∙min-1, P = 0.007, Δ = 10.5%), and presented higher values in the MDGI test (P = 0.008, Δ = 4.1%). In contrast, the CG showed no significant changes in body composition nor MDGI test, and decreases were observed in absolute VO2peak (L∙min-1, P = 0.016, Δ = -11.1%), with no significant changes in relative values. Conclusion: In conclusion, a multi-component exercise programme improves body composition, CRF, and balance in people with VH. A healthy lifestyle based on regular exercise should be recommended and implemented to reduce the effects of the disease and the sedentary lifestyle generated by the symptoms or the possible occurrence of other diseases.