Effects of Stretching and Aerobic Exercise on Body Composition in Middle-aged Women

Kim, Hong In; Kim, Seol Hyang

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stretching and aerobic exercise on body composition in middle-aged women after 12-week exercise training program. Thirty-six middle-aged women(55.3+/-3.2years) with hypertension, diabetes, and obesity participated in this study. The exercise training program consisted of on a treadmill walking, cycle ergometer, and step climbing at intensity of 60~65% Vo2max. Subjects trained for at 12 weeks, three times per week. The average training duration was 90 minutes(30 minutes of stretching & calisthenics+60 minutes of aerobic exercise). The main conclusion was drawn by as follows. 1. In all subjects, the average body weight decreased significantly(p<.05) from 60.6+/-5.4 to 58.4+/-5.2 after 3 months of stretching, calisthenics and aerobic exercise. 2. In circumference measurement, chest circumference reduced significantly(p<.05) from 90.7+/-6.7 to 89.5+/-6.3cm, waist circumference 83.3+/-6.4 to 80.8+/-6.0cm, and hip circumference 95.7+/-4.6 to 94.3+/-4.8cm significantly(p<.05), respectively. 3. In skinfold thickness, Triceps decreased significantly(p<.05) 20.7+/-4.4 to 18.0+/-4.5mm, suprailiac 20.6+/-6.3 to 18.0+/-5.5cm, and thigh 23.5+/-6.0 to 20.6+/-6.1mm significantly(p<.05), respectively. 4. In result of 40,'s, 50's, and 60's age level, 40's weight reduced 62.3+/-3.9 to 58.7+/-4.2kg, 50's weight 60.9+/-7.5 to 59.5+/-6.7kg and 60's weight 60.9+/-7.5 to 59.5+/-6.7kg significantly, respectively. But there was no significantly difference between age's group. 5. In circumference measurement, 40's chest circumference reduced 90.7+/-6.7 to 89.5+/-6.3cm, 50's chest circumference 90.6+/-5.2 to 90.0+/-4.4cm, 60's chest circumference 90.3+/-9.3 to 89.3+/-9.3cm significantly(p<.05), respectively. 40's waist circumference reduced 83.3+/-6.4 to 80.0+/-6.0cm, 50's waist circumference 81.0+/-5.3 to 79.5+/-5.7cm, 60's waist circumference 86.9+/-7.2 to 84.4+/-5.9cm, significantly (p<.05), respectively. 40's hip circumference reduced 95.7+/-4.6 to 94.3+/-4.8cm, 50's hip circumference 95.5+/-4.9 to 94.3+/-4.8cm, 60's hip circumference 96.9+/-4.8 to 94.1+/-4.7cm significantly(p<.05), respectively. there was no significantly difference between age's group. but waist circumference decreased significantly difference only between 40' and 60'. 6. In skinfold thickness measurement, 40's triceps skinfold thickness reduced 19.9+/-3.1 to 17.2+/-4.3mm, 50's triceps skinfold thickness 21.2+/-5.1 to 19.3+/-4.7 mm, 60's triceps skinfold thickness 21.0+/-5.2 to 17.7+/-4.7mm significantly(p<.05), respectively. 40's suprailiac skinfold thickness reduced 19.2+/-7.6 17.0+/-5.7mm, 50's suprailiac skinfold thickness 20.5+/-6.5 to 18.2+/-6.0mm, 60's suprailiac skinfold thickness 22.0+/-4.8 to 19.0+/-4.9mm, significantly(p<.05), respectively. 40's thigh skinfold thickness reduced 22.7+/-5.1 to 20.0+/-45.6mm, 50's thigh skinfold thickness 25.3+/-8.2 to 22.8+/-7.2mm, 60's thigh skinfold thickness 22.2+/-4.8 to 19.1+/-5.2mm significantly(p<.05), respectively. there was no significantly difference between age's group.