PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week equipment-based Pilates training on physical fitness, cardiovascular function, and vascular endothelial function in obese middle-aged women. METHODS Twenty-four women, aged 30-40 years with a body mass index ≥ 25 and percent body fat ≥ 30% were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Pilates training group (TR; n=12); and control group (CON; n=12). The TR participants underwent three 50-minute equipmentbased Pilates training sessions per week for 12 weeks. Participants in the CON maintained their normal life patterns for the same intervention period. Variables regarding physical fitness, cardiovascular function, and vascular endothelial function were measured and compared pre-test and post-test u a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS The main results of the study were as follows: 1) Regarding physique and body composition, participants’ body weight, body mass index, fat mass, percent body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio decreased significantly in the TR. 2) Regarding physical fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance increased significantly in the TR. 3) Regarding cardiovascular response, SV increased significantly in the TR. 4) Regarding vascular endothelial function, blood vessel diameter at rest and during vasodilation as well as blood flow volume during vasodilation decreased significantly in the CON, resulting in a significant interaction between group and test in FMD percentage. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that the 12-week equipment-based Pilates program improved the physical fitness and vascular endothelial function in obese middle-aged women.
Purpose The study examined the effects of a 12-week high intensity circuit training (HICT) on abdominal fat, physical fitness, blood lipids, and insulin resistance in middle-aged obese women. Methods Thirty obese women, aged 32-48 yrs, were recruited and randomly assigned to either HICT group (TR; n = 15) or control group (CON; n = 15). Subjects in the TR group participated in HICT of which resistance exercise and aerobic exercise were performed with a duration of 40 min/session and 3 sessions/wk for 12 weeks, whereas subjects in the CON group were asked to maintain their normal life patterns. Dependent variables included abdominal fat area, body composition, physical fitness, blood lipids profiles, and insulin resistance index. Analysis of variance with repeated measures with Bonferroni corrections was used to compare the outcomes between two groups. Results Main findings of the present study were as follows: 1) compared to the CON group, the TR group had significant reductions in overall (i.e., body mass index and percent body fat) and abdominal obesity (i.e., waist circumference, total abdominal fat area, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, and visceral fat area-subcutaneous fat area ratio), 2) compared to the CON group, the TR group had significant improvements in health-related physical fitness (i.e., muscular strength, muscular endurance, muscle power, flexibility, balance, and cardiorespiratory endurance), and 3) compared to the CON group, the TR group had significant improvements in fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance. Conclusions The current findings of the study suggested that HICT would be an effective exercise intervention to improve metabolic complications associated with obesity and poor physical fitness in obese middle-aged women.
Purpose The present study compared physical fitness, metabolic syndrome risk factors, and resting metabolic rate (RMR) according to body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (%BF) in 20s females. Methods Fifty-one women in their 20s were recruited and assigned into three groups, i.e., normal group (n=18), normal weight obesity (NWO) group (n=18), and obesity group (n=15) according to BMI and %BF. Physical fitness, metabolic syndrome risk factors, and RMR were measured and compared among three groups. Results Main results were as follows: 1) Physical fitness were not significantly different among three groups. 2) Regarding 1-RM, arm curl and leg extension were significantly lower in normal group and NWO group than obesity group. Leg press was significantly lower in normal group than obesity group. 3) Regarding metabolic syndrome risk factors, there were significant differences in waist circumference, ordering from low to high such as normal, NWO, and obesity groups. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in normal group and NWO group than obesity group, while HDL-C was significantly higher in normal group than NWO group and obesity group. 4) Regarding RMR, absolute values of RMR such as VO2(㎖·min-1), RMR (Kcal·min-1), RMR (KJ·min-1), and RMR (Kcal·day-1) were significantly lower in normal group and NWO group than obesity group. On the other hand, relative value of RMR such as RMR (KJ·kg-1FW·h-1) was significantly higher in normal group than NWO group and obesity group. Conclusions It was concluded that obese women showed increased risk of metabolic syndrome and low relative RMR level, and NWO had similar problems. Active health management through physical activity and dietary control should be committed to NWO individuals because the NWO has possibility of high risk of metabolic syndrome and reduction of metabolic rate from 20s even though there was no problem in their external appearance.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of complex exercise and chromium supplement on healthe-related physical fitness, appetite regulating hormones, and diabetes risk factors in obese elementary school students. [Methods] The subjects were 32 obese elementary students over 25 kg/m2 to BMI, 8 complex exercise with high chromium supplement group (CE+HC), 8 complex exercise with low chromium supplement group (CE+LC), 8 complex exercise with placebo group (CE+PL), and 8 placebo group (PL). The subjects have performed the exercise program for 70 minutes a day and 3 times a week with aerobic and anaerobic exercise during 12 weeks. Also, low and high chromium supplement group took a peel 50 ug and 400 ug respectively at the same time and place. [Results] There were significant decreases in body fat to CE+HC compared with CE+PL (p<.05) and significant increase in muscle mass compared with CE+PL (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in body weight, BMI, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility between groups. For appetite regulating hormones, there is a significant difference to ghrelin in CE+HC compared with CE+PL (p<.05) and there were significant differences to glucose and insulin significantly decreased in CE+HC compared with CE+PL (p<.05) in diabetes risk factors. [Conclusion] In conclusion, there were positive responses for body composition and diabetes risk factors for the twofold cases through complex exercise and high chromium supplement, but not for physical fitness and appetite regulating hormones.
Purpose The study was designed to compare physical fitness, indices of lifestyle disease, and biochemical property of muscle according to sarcopenia and obesity in elderly women. Methods One hundred elderly women were alloted to one of four groups, i.e., sarcopenia+obesity (SO: n=20) group, sarcopenia (S: n=20) group, obesity (O: n=29) group, and normal (N: n=31) group. Criterion for sarcopenia was 'appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)/height2<5.4 kg/㎡', and criterion for obesity was 'percent body fat>35%'. Dependent variables regarding physical fitness, lifestyle disease, and biochemical property of muscle were measured and compared among four groups. Results 1) Regarding daily living fitness, grip strength, upper arm flexion, sit-and-reach, up and go, and VO2max in SO group and S group were significantly lower than N group. Regarding isokinetic function, peak torque and average power in SO group and S group were significantly lower, and relative values to body weight in SO group and O group were significantly lower than N group. 2) Regarding hypertension, resting HR and RPP in SO group and O group were significantly higher than S group and N group. Regarding diabetes mellitus, fasting plasma glucose and HOMA-IR in SO group and O group were significantly higher than S group and N group. Regarding hyperlipidemia, HDL-C in SO group and O group were significantly lower than S group and N group. Regarding atherosclerosis, TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in SO group and O group were significantly higher than S group and N group. 3) Regarding biochemical property of muscle, IL-6 in SO group and O group were significantly higher than S group and N group. Conclusion It was concluded that physical fitness was declined in sarcopenia elderly, and that relative value of isokinetic function, indices of lifestyle disease, and inflammation markers were deteriorated in obesity elderly. Especially, the decline and deterioration of physical fitness and indices of lifestyle disease were even more severe in the elderly who had the both status. Therefore, the efforts should be made to prevent and improve sarcopenia and/or obesity.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic training and resveratrol supplementation on a body composition, physical fitness, insulin resistance, liver function, blood pressure, and heart rate. Fifty-one elderly women were randomly assigned to aerobic training group (EX: n=12), resveratrol supplementation group (R: n=13), combined aerobic training and resveratrol supplementation group (EX+R: n=12), and control group (CON: n=14). The subjects in EX group exercised three sessions per week, 40 minutes per session for 8 weeks, the subjects in R group took 500 mg of resveratrol per day for 8 weeks, and the subjects in EX+R group received both treatments. The subjects in CON group were asked to maintain normal daily life pattern without any treatment for the same period of intervention. Body composition, physical fitness, insulin resistance, liver function, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured at pre- and post-test and the data were compared among groups and between tests by utilizing two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Main results of the present study were as follows: 1) Physique and body composition did not change significantly in all groups. 2) Muscular endurance increased significantly in EX+R group, whereas the other physical fitness-related variables showed no significant changes in all groups. 3) Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c tended to be improved in EX+R group. 4) AST, ALT, and γ·GT showed no significant changes in all groups. 5) Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly in CON group. Heart rate tended to be decreased in EX+R group and EX group. It was concluded that the 8 weeks of aerobic training and resveratrol supplementation had positive effects on muscular endurance, insulin resistance, and blood pressure in T2DM elderly women. Research investigating the effects of a longer period of aerobic training and resveratrol supplementation on the same variables would be warranted in the future.
This study was designed to compare physical fitness, blood lipids, and insulin resistance according to body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (%BF) in 20s females. Sixty women, aged 20-29 yrs, volunteered to participate in the study as subjects. There were three groups, i.e., normal group (BMI < 24 kg·m-2 and %BF < 25%; n = 25), normal weight obese group (BMI < 24 kg·m-2 and 28% < %BF < 40%; n = 22), and obese group (BMI > 26 kg·m-2 and 30% < %BF < 40%; n = 13). Physical fitness, blood lipid profiles, and surrogate indices of insulin resistance were measured and compared among three groups. Main results of the present study were as follows: 1) There were significant differences in all variables regarding body composition among three groups. All values were lowest in normal group and highest in obese group. 2) There was significant difference in sit-and-reach among three groups, whereas no significant differences were found in other variables regarding physical fitness among three groups. 3) There were significant differences in all variables regarding blood lipids among three groups. In particular, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TC/HDL-C ratio, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly higher in normal weight obese group than normal group. 4) There were significant differences in all variables regarding insulin resistance among three groups. Fasting plasma glucose and HOMA-IR were lowest in normal group and highest in obese group. It was concluded that there would be abnormal blood lipid profiles and insulin resistance in even normal weight obese individuals as well as general obese individuals in 20s females.
This study was designed to investigate the effects of increment of physical activity for 12 weeks through aerobic exercise training or change from own vehicle to public transportation for commuting on physical fitness, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, and liver function in middle-aged men. Forty-four subjects, aged 30-50 yrs, were randomly assigned to either one of three groups, i.e., aerobic exercise training group (TR: n=14), change to public transportation group (PT: n=15), or control group (CON: n=15). Subjects in TR performed aerobic exercise for 30 min per sessions, three sessions per week, subjects in PT changed from their own vehicle to public transportation for commuting, and subjects in CON maintained their life patterns during the same intervention period. Physical fitness, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, and liver function were measured at pre- and post-test, and the data were analyzed by repeated two-way ANOVA. Main results of the present study were as follows: 1) All variables related to physical fitness improved significantly in TR. Right grip strength, standing long jump, side step test, and sit-and-reach improved significantly in PT. 2) Although there were no significant changes in all variables related to insulin resistance, the variables tended to be improved in TR and PT. 3) TNF-α decreased significantly in TR and PT. IL-6 and CRP tended to be improved in TR and PT; however, the changes did not reach statistical significant level. 4) ALT decreased significantly in PT. AST and γ-GT tended to be improved in TR and PT; however, the changes did not reach statistical significant level. It was concluded that the 12 weeks of change to public transportation as well as aerobic exercise training would be beneficial for physical fitness and inflammatory markers. These interventions also would be possible to improve insulin resistance and liver function. The increment of physical activity through change from own vehicle to public transportation was found to be equally beneficial for health promotion compared to aerobic exercise.
The aim of the study was to examine the tracking of body composition and physical fitness in boys and girls for 6 years. Thirty-seven boys and girls participated throughout the study. All measurements were performed annually. Body height, body weight, circumferences and skinfold thicknesses were measured and skeletal maturity was assessed. Body composition and bone mineral density were measured by DXA. Nine physical fitness tests were administered. Results of the study showed that there are significant interaction effects of time and group for body height(p<.01), waist circumference(p<.001), and skinfolds at triceps(p<.01), suprailiac(p<.01), thigh(p<.001) and medial calf(p<.01). All anthorpometric variables except skinfold thickness increased during the study period. Significant interaction effects of time and group were found for percent body fat(p<.05) and bone mineral density(p<.01). Percent body fat and fat tissue increased in boys from 7 to 11 years, then decreased in 12 years. Lean tissue(p<.001), bone mineral content(p<.001) and bone mineral density(p<.001) increased both in boys and girls throughout the study. There were significant interaction effect of time and group on sit and reach, standing long jump and sit-ups. In conclusion, percent body fat and fat tissue increased until 11 years, lean tissue and bone mineral density increased throughout the study both in boys and girls.
Purpose This study confirmed the historical significance of the First World War US Combat Strength Training Fitness System for contributing in the ROK military sports development. Methods This research method is literature analysis to be focused by the previous US Army Field Manuals. Results Concretely, The meaning of US Army fitness training was divided into four stages. First, this study confirmed the actual condition of the US Army fitness before First World War. Since 1916, US Army has developed a group physical training program applied the items suitable for the war and has systematically reflected the program in the recruitment training. Second, this study confirmed the process of operating military fitness program during the First World War. US Army physical fitness program provided an effective method to suit soldier fitness for war. Third, this study observed the fitness training changes of US Army after the First World War. At that time, US Army focused on maintaining health and basic physical strength for civilians and reserve forces, but US Army ran parallel with basal physical fitness and combat physical fitness after the Korean War. Fourth, this study compared military strength training between First World War and current US Army. Since First World War, the training of US Army has been developed around doctrine and manuals to be maintained the consistency of the system. In conclusion, US Army physical training system of First World War meant to be provided the basis of current military physical education and physical training. In other words, current fitness training is not dogmatic but has evolved, and it accommodated the basics of soldier physical training course from the past.
