[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a 24-week exercise intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic syndrome markers, and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin among obese middle-aged women. [Subjects] The subjects were 14 obese middle-aged women. [Methods] The exercise program involved walking at 50–60% of the maximum oxygen consumption, 3 times a week, for 24 weeks. Body composition analysis, blood pressure measurements, and blood analysis were performed before the exercise program and at weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. [Results] The results showed that after 24 weeks in the exercise program, the obesity indices and metabolic risk factors, namely, weight, body fat, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides decreased significantly, whereas HDLC, a metabolic improvement factor, increased significantly. Additionally, VO2max increased significantly, together with the level of total and HMW adiponectins. Correlation analysis of the changes in measured variables (∆ score) during resulting from the 24-week exercise program showed that body fat had a significant negative correlation and VO2max had a significant positive correlation with HMW adiponectin. [Conclusion] Among obese middle-aged women, regular exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness and HMW adiponectin expression and therefore can be effective in the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Abstract.[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation on blood lactate after anaerobic muscle fatigue was induced in Taekwondo athletes.[Subjects] Twenty-four male collegiate Taekwondo athletes voluntarily participated in this study (from June 7, 2010 to June 18, 2010, a total of 2 weeks). Subjects were randomly divided into three groups of 8: a) Electrical stimulation group (ES) which received electrical muscle stimulation; b) the massage group which received massage; and the control group which took a rest after induction of anaerobic muscle fatigue. [Methods] This study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. It was conducted at the sports science research laboratory of Kyungwoon University, Gumi, Korea. Muscle fatigue was induced via anaerobic exercise. Blood samples were collected when the athletes were in a relaxed state, immediately after anaerobic exercise, 15 minutes after anaerobic exercise, and 25 minutes after anaerobic exercise.[Results] Repeated measures ANOVA showed statistically significant differences in lactic acid concentration in the blood with time in the three groups, as well as among the three groups. The lactic acid concentrations in the blood was highest immediately after exercise, decreased significantly 15 min after exercise, and further decreased 25 min after exercise. Scheffe's post-hoc test revealed statistically significant differences between the massage group and the control group, and between the ES group and the control group, whereas no statistically significant difference was found between the massage group and the ES group. [Conclusion] Electrical stimulation was shown to enhance muscle fatigue recovery caused by anaerobic exercise by Taekwondo athletes.

Recent advances in passive radiative cooling systems describe a variety of strategies to enhance cooling efficiency, while the integration of such technology with a bioinspired design using biodegradable materials can offer a research opportunity to generate energy in a sustainable manner, favorable for the temperature/climate system of the planet. Here, we introduce stretchable and ecoresorbable radiative cooling/heating systems engineered with zebra stripe–like patterns that enable the generation of a large in-plane temperature gradient for thermoelectric generation. A comprehensive study of materials with theoretical evaluations validates the ability to accomplish the target performances even under external mechanical strains, while all systems eventually disappear under physiological conditions. Use of the zebra print for selective radiative heating demonstrates an unexpected level of temperature difference compared to use of radiative cooling emitters alone, which enables producing energy through resorbable silicon-based thermoelectric devices. The overall result suggests the potential of scalable, ecofriendly renewable energy systems.

As rubber-like elastomers have led to scientific breakthroughs in soft, stretchable characteristics-based wearable, implantable electronic devices or relevant research fields, developments of degradable elastomers with comparable mechanical properties could bring similar technological innovations in transient, bioresorbable electronics or expansion into unexplored areas. Here, we introduce ultra-stretchable, biodegradable elastomers capable of stretching up to ~1600% with outstanding properties in toughness, tear-tolerance, and storage stability, all of which are validated by comprehensive mechanical and biochemical studies. The facile formation of thin films enables the integration of almost any type of electronic device with tunable, suitable adhesive strengths. Conductive elastomers tolerant/sensitive to mechanical deformations highlight possibilities for versatile monitoring/sensing components, particularly the strain-tolerant composites retain high levels of conductivities even under tensile strains of ~550%. Demonstrations of soft electronic grippers and transient, suture-free cardiac jackets could be the cornerstone for sophisticated, multifunctional biodegradable electronics in the fields of soft robots and biomedical implants.

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