Effects of Abdominal Obesity and Health Related Physical Fitness in Arterial Stiffness of Korean Males / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between waist circumference, muscular strength, flexibility, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Furthermore, the cut-off values of the physical fitness factors according to the baPWV were also calculated. The study was derived with total of 1,562 males (1,116 middle-aged and 446 old-aged). They were tested participant's baPWV, waist circumference, cardiopulmonary fitness, grip strength and flexibility. The results of this study is that the baPWV of the middle-aged men did not show significant changes in relationship with the waist circumference and physical fitness factors. The old-aged group with normal abdominal fat and high physical fitness level (group 4) showed significant baPWV values in comparison to those with waist circumference and low physical fitness levels (group 1); cardiorespiratory fitness p=0.026, grip strength p=0.000, flexibility p=0.000. The cut-off values of the physical fitness such as cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength, flexibility according to the baPWV were 31.2 mL/kg/min (area under curve [AUC], 0.692; p=0.027), 37.0 kg (AUC, 0.588; p=0.014), and 1.0 cm (AUC, 0.589; p=0.014), respectively. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscular strength and flexibility effect inversely on arterial stiffness.

The Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome and Cut-off Values of Power and Flexibility in Elderly Males / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of the study was to find out the age-adjusted odds ratio of the metabolic syndrome and the associated cut-off values of the physical fitnessfactors of the elderly males in their 60s and 70s. 477 participants were tested for the cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), power, flexibility as well as blood battery and abdominal circumference for the metabolic syndrome status. As a result, 32.2% of the participants had metabolic syndrome with the associated cut-off values of the power and flexibility as 29.0 cm (areas under curve [AUC]: 0.57, p=0.029) and 0.6 cm (AUC: 0.54, p=0.028), respectively. The cardiorespiratory fitness showed no significant difference prevalence rate between groups. The prevalence rate was calculated by dividing the participants into high and low groups. The metabolic syndrome prevalence rate for the low power group was 1.63 (p<0.030) and low flexibility group was 2.01 (p<0.002). The cardiovascular fitness showed no significant prevalence rate.

Interactive Effects of Forward, Backward Walking Exercise and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise on Sexual Function and Functional Fitness in the Elderly Male Population

BACKGROUND: To assess the effect of forward, backward walking exercise and pelvic floor muscle exercise on sexual function and functional fitness in elderly males. METHODS: Twenty two elderly males participated in this study. They were divided into two groups. The Complex Exercise(CE) group(n=11) performed the forward, backward walking exercise(3 days/week, 12 weeks) and pelvic floor muscle exercises(PFME; 5 days/week, 12 weeks). The PFME group(n=11) only performed PFME(5 days/week, 12 weeks). Both groups performed the PFME in the same manner. Outcomes were evaluated by IIEF-5(5-item version of the interna- tional index of erectile function), 6min walk, and 30sec & 1min sit-to-stand before exercise training, and at week 4, week 8, and week 12. RESULTS: Total scores and erectile function scores had significant interaction effect(p<0.05) in group and period. 6min walk wassignificantly different(p<0.05) in exercise period and 30sec(p<0.001) & 1min sit-to-stand(p<0.01) had signi- ficant interaction effectin group and period. CONCLUSION: Three months of forward, backward walking and pelvic floor muscle exercises did not have significant positive effects on sexual function and functional fitness in elderly males.