Won-Mok Son

Effects of whole body vibration training on body composition, skeletal muscle strength, and cardiovascular health

Whole body vibration training (WBVT) has been used as a supplement to conventional exercise training such as resistance exercise training to improve skeletal muscle strength, specifically, in rehabilitation field. Recently, this exercise modality has been utilized by cardiovascular studies to examine whether WBVT can be a useful exercise modality to improve cardiovascular health. These studies reported that WBVT has not only beneficial effects on muscular strength but also cardiovascular health in elderly and disease population. However, its mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of WBVT in cardiovascular health has not been well documented. Therefore, this review highlighted the impacts of WBVT on cardiovascular health, and its mechanisms in conjunction with the improved muscular strength and body composition in various populations.

Combined exercise reduces arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and blood markers for cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with hypertension.

Objective: Postmenopausal women exhibit elevated brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of combined resistance and aerobic exercise training on baPWV, blood pressure (BP), and cardiovascular fitness in postmenopausal women with stage 1 hypertension. Methods: Twenty postmenopausal women (age, 75 ± 2 y; systolic BP, 152 ± 2 mm Hg, diastolic BP, 95 ± 3 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to a “no-exercise” (CON, n = 10) or combined exercise (EX, n = 10) group. The EX group performed resistance and aerobic exercise for 12 weeks, 3 times per week. Exercise intensity was increased gradually, from 40% to 70% of heart rate reserve, every 4 weeks. BaPWV, BP, blood nitrite/nitrate, endothelin-1 (ET-1), cardiovascular fitness, and body composition were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Results: BP, baPWV (−1.2 ± 0.4 m/s), ET-1 (−2.7 ± 0.3 &mgr;mol/mL), nitrite/nitrate (+4.5 ± 0.5 &mgr;M), functional capacity, and body composition were significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the EX group after 12 weeks of training, but no changes were observed in the CON group. Conclusions: These findings indicate that 12 weeks of combined exercise training improves arterial stiffness, BP, ET-1, blood nitrite/nitrate, functional capacity, and body composition in postmenopausal women with stage 1 hypertension. Thus, this study provides evidence that combined exercise training is a useful therapeutic method to improve cardiovascular health which can reduce cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women with hypertension.

Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Cardiac Autonomic Function and Symptomatology in Women With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study examined the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi (TC) training regimen on heart rate variability (HRV), symptomatology, muscle fitness and body composition in women with fibromyalgia. Participants were randomly assigned to either a TC training group (n = 18) or a control group (n = 19). HRV, symptomatology, muscle fitness and body composition were measured before and after 12 weeks. There were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in sympathovagal balance (LnLF/LnHF), sympathetic tone (LnLF, nLF), pain, and fatigue, and significant increases (p < 0.05) in parasympathetic tone (LnHF, nHF), strength and flexibility following TC compared with no changes after control. The changes in LnLF and LnLF/LnHF were correlated with changes in pain. There were no significant changes in HR, sleep quality and body composition after TC or control. TC may be an effective therapeutic intervention for improving sympathovagal balance, pain, fatigue, strength and flexibility in women with fibromyalgia.

Effects of Aerobic Exercise and a Protein Diet on Serum Lipid Profiles, Liver Function, and Immunoglobulin in Rats

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of aerobic exercise and a protein diet on serum lipid profiles, liver function, and immunoglobulin levels in rats. The subjects, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats, were grouped into an exercise with protein diet group (A, n

Combined exercise is a modality for improving insulin resistance and aging-related hormone biomarkers in elderly Korean women

Background: The functional decline of the endocrine and immune systems with aging causes changes in the regulation of the bodys metabolism and defense functions. Although it is impossible to stop aging artificially, regular exercises reportedly delay aging and have positive effects on senile diseases. The improvements in insulin resistance values and aging‐related hormones in elderly women after combined exercises have not been effectively elucidated. Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of combined exercise on insulin resistance and aging‐related hormones in elderly women. Methods: Twenty elderly Korean women were randomly assigned to a “non‐exercise” (n = 10) or combined exercise group (n = 10). The exercise group performed both anaerobic and aerobic exercises for 12 weeks, three times per week. Exercise intensity was increased gradually, from 40% to 70% of the heart rate reserve (HRR) every 3 weeks. Insulin resistance, growth hormone, IGF‐1, DHEA‐S, and estrogen were measured before and after the 12‐week intervention. Results: The main effect was found in the glucose level for a time, which significantly decreased in the exercise group. The insulin level and HOMA‐IR showed significant interaction effects and increased significantly in the control group. The GH level showed significant interaction effects and increased significantly in the exercise group. The IGF‐1 level showed significant interaction effects, but not significantly within and between groups. The DHEA‐S level revealed interaction effects and the main effect for a time and significantly increased in the exercise group. The estrogen level exhibited an interaction effect and increased significantly in the exercise group. After the 12‐week combined exercise intervention, no significant difference was observed between groups. Discussion: This study has shown that 12‐week combined exercise is useful for improving insulin resistance and GH, IGF‐1, and DHEA‐S levels in elderly women. Thus, this study provides evidence that combined exercise is a useful therapeutic method to decrease insulin resistance and stimulate the secretion of aging‐related hormones in elderly women.

Effect of Obesity on Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Middle-Aged Korean Women

Objectives Our study aims to provide basic scientific data on the importance of obesity management in middle-aged Korean women by analyzing its effects on blood pressure and arterial stiffness. In addition, we examined the correlations of these two parameters. Methods The study participants were 40 middle-aged female volunteers, who were classified into obesity group (n = 20) and normal weight group (n = 20). Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to correlate blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Results This study evaluated the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse wave velocity (PWV). These results were higher in the obesity group than the normal weight group. Furthermore, blood pressure and arterial stiffness (PWV, augmentation pressure) were static correlated. Conclusion Obesity is closely related to blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Therefore, indices for blood pressure and arterial stiffness may play a vital role in predicting and preventing obesity and its sequelae.

Effects of Purple Sweet Potato intake and Aerobic Combined Exercise on Health Related Fitness, Blood lipid profile and Insulin resistance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of purple sweet potato(PSP) intake and aerobic combined exercise in obese middle school girls. Twenty-four, obese(%body fat > 30%) middle school girls composed of the purple sweet potato intake and aerobic combined exercise group(A, n=6), the aerobic combined exercise group(B, n=6), the purple sweet potato intake group(C, n=6), the control group(D, n=6). The variables of health related fitness, blood lipid profile, insulin resistance were measured in all the subjects before the start and after the end of 12 week aerobic combined exercise program(40~70%HRR, 3 times per week, 70 mins). The test data were analyzed by paired t-test and one way ANOVA, and the alpha level of p

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Blood Lipid Profiles, Fibrinolytic Activities, and Nitric Oxide Levels in High-fat-diet induced Rats

Although exercise training has been utilized to improve vascular function in animals and humans, the impact of moderate intensity exercise training on fibrinolytic activities and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability has not been well documented. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of moderate intensity aerobic exercise training on fat mass, blood lipid profiles, fibrinolytic activity, and NO levels in high-fat-diet induced rats. The body weight, fat mass, blood lipid profiles, fibrinolytic activity, and nitrite/nitrate were measured pre- and postexercise (10 weeks) training. The body weight and fat mass reduced significantly in the exercise (EX) group compared to the control (CON) group. Blood lipid profiles and low-density lipoprotein were unchanged in the EX group compared to the CON group. However, triglyceride and free fatty acid were significantly lower in the EX group compared to the CON group, and high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater in the EX group compared to the CON group. In addition, fibrinolytic activity and nitrite/nitrate were significantly greater in the EX compared to the CON group. These results suggest that 10 weeks of the moderated intensity aerobic exercise training improves blood lipid profiles, fibrinolytic activity, and the nitrite/nitrate ratio, which may improve vascular health and reduce obesity-related cardiovascular disease risks in high-fat- diet induced rats.