RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 12-week combined exercise program on carotid artery structure and function, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in obese older women. All subjects were sixty years or older (66.90±4.2 years), performed the combined exercise training during 12-week consisting of aerobic exercise, band exercise, and yoga exercise for 70 minutes 3 times a week under the supervision of exercise specialist. Despite no statistically significant change in control group, percent body fat mass (3.26 %, p<.01), systolic blood pressure (6.2 mmHg, p<.05), diastolic blood pressure (5.6 mmHg, p<.001), and 10 m maximal walking time (0.56 sec, p<.05), TC (20.5 mg/dl, p<.05), and LDL-C (22.16 mg/dl, p<.05) were significantly decreased respectively after 12-week combined exercise in exercise group. In addition, sit-and-reach (3.6 cm, p<.01), oxygen uptake per weight (3.27 ml/kg/min, p<.05), VEGF (17.85 pg/dl, p<.001), and carotid artery LD (0.4 cm, p<.01), PFV (10.06 cm/sec, p<.05), EFV (6.04 cm/sec, p<.05) were significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group. The VEGF had the significant correlation with LD (r=.389, p<.01), PFV (r=.427, p<.01), EFV (r=.264, p<.05). In conclusion, 12-week combined exercise program is effective to improve and/or physical function and body composition. And also, exercise can improve serum lipid metabolism, VEGF regulation, and carotid artery function and structure.