Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Various training regimes in older adults yield differing effects on subjective well-being and physical performance, influenced by age, gender, and individual health status, with noted discrepancies between perceived well-being and actual performance. METHODS: This study investigated age- and gender-specific effects of a 24-week multidimensional training program-including popular sports-on 81 sporting inactive, healthy older adults (60-74 years; f = 53, m = 28). Cardiovascular fitness was assessed via Physical Working Capacity 130 and health-related quality of life via ShortForm 36. RESULTS: Women and participants aged 65-69 years showed the greatest subjective health gains and improvements in cardiovascular fitness (p < .001, d = .45). However, Spearman correlations indicated no significant association between subjective Health and objective fitness at baseline (p = .149) or post-intervention (p = .321), nor between changes in performance (total group p = .601; age- and sex-stratified change correlations all p > .191), indicating that women with lower baseline performance did not show systematically larger subjective gains. DISCUSSION: The program thus offers an effective, non-traditional option to enhance physical fitness and health perception in older adults.