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BackgroundNumerous researchers have worked to develop treatments for obesity; however, the prevalence of obesity continues to increase in many countries. Moreover, the effects of physical activity and exercise on obesity remain unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relationship between exercise and obesity using mediator variables such as the mode of exercise.MethodsOur review focuses on research tracking the effects of exercise on obesity conducted from 2007 to 2016 and available in any of three databases: Embase, PubMed, and EBSCO Academic Search Premier. The keywords used in the search were “exercise and obesity” and “exercise and obese.”ResultsThe average size of the effects that exercise interventions have on body mass index (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.533), waist circumference (SMD, 0.666), total cholesterol (SMD, 0.721), and triglyceride (TG; SMD, 0.603) were medium or larger. Exercise had greater effects on the outward appearance of obesity (body mass index, waist circumference) than on its practical factors (weight, % body fat). The effect of exercise on TG (SMD, 0.603) was larger than that on low-density lipoprotein (SMD, 0.406) and high-density lipoprotein (SMD, −0.222). Exercise duration (weeks of exercise) and intensity correlate better than exercise time (minutes per week) with a large and consistent improvement in adult obesity.ConclusionWe suggest that individuals with obesity should exercise consistently to achieve significant improvements in their health.

The beneficial effects of a strength exercise program and a combined exercise program of strength training plus walking were examined in overweight with chronic back pain patients. The participants were randomly placed in the strength exercise group (SEG, n=15), combined exercise group (CEG, n=15), and control group (CG, n=6). All subjects performed exercise twice per week, 50 min per session with a professional instructors for 12 weeks. In order to evaluate exercise intervention effects, lumbar function was measured by back strength and flexibility. Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate pain level. Fat and muscle mass were measured to compare body composition changes. All measurements were performed before and after 12 weeks of exercise program. Lumbar function: Back strength was significantly different over time, and significant time×group differences were found between SEG and CG and, CEG and CG. Pain disorder degree: VAS showed a significant group difference, and significant time×group differences were shown between SEG and CG, and CEG and CG. Also, RMDG showed a significant difference between CEG and CG. Body composition: Fat mass was significantly different over time×group between SEG and CG. In conclusion, participating in strength and walking exercises were beneficial to improve lumbar function. Also, the combined exercise program was more effective for reducing pain levels than the strength exercise. Finally, fat mass was reduced in this study and this may play a possible role in the improvement of lumbar function and reduction in low back pain.

The purpose of this study was to exam 12 weeks of stair and normal walking effects on lower extremity functional ability and cardiovascular health risk factors in middle-aged older women. Twenty-four subjects were assigned either to the stair walking group (SWG, 57.40±6.11 years, n=10) or the normal walking group (NWG, 57.28±16.83 years, n= 14). They performed exercises 3 times per week, 60 min per day for 12 weeks. Lower extremity functional ability (lower extremity muscular strength, walking speed, active and static balance ability, and agility) and cardiovascular health risk factors were compared by time and groups using a two-way repeated analysis of variance and mean values were compared within group using paired t -test. As results, significant time differences were found in lower extremity muscular strength, walking speed and active balance; no time and group interactions were found. Also, significant time differences were found in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose. Significant time and group interactions were found in body fat. In addition, significant time differences within the groups were found in lower extremity muscular strength, walking speed, active balance in SWG and NWG; systolic blood pressure in SWG; systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose in NWG. These results indicated that home-based stair and normal walking exercises can be utilized to improve lower extremity functional ability and cardiovascular health risk factors in middle-aged and older women.

Trekking includes downhill walking and enhances lower limb strength. Muscle fitness is a predictor of mortality and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trekking on cardiovascular health and fitness in older obese women. The participants were randomly assigned to an exercise group (EG, n= 32) and a control group (CG, n= 48). The EG participated in the trekking program for 12 weeks, 3 times per week, and 90 min per session, at a moderate intensity. Cardiovascular health (BMI, percentage of body fat, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol) and fitness (muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance, and flexibility) were measured before and after the 12-week program. A twoway repeated ANOVA was used to compare and analyze the group differences. Body weight, systolic blood pressure, and muscle strength were significantly different between the groups. These results indicate that trekking played a significant role in the reduction of weight and systolic blood pressure in obese women. The results of this study can be utilized to reduce cardiovascular risk factors associated with aging.

Exercise and cognitive training can improve the brain-related health of the elderly. We investigated the effects of a cognitive walking program (CWP) involving simultaneous performance of indoor walking and cognitive training on cognitive function and physical fitness compared to normal walking (NW) outdoors. Participants were grouped according to whether they performed regular exercise for at least 3 months prior to the participation in this study. Active participants were assigned to the CWP-active group (CWPAG). Sedentary participants were randomly assigned to the CWP (CWPSG) or NW group (NWSG). CWP and NW were performed for 60 min, 3 times a week, for 6 months. Cognitive function (attention, visuospatial function, memory, and frontal/executive function) and physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, lower extremity muscular strength, and active balance ability) were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after the program onset. Cognitive function showed improvements over time in all three groups, especially in CWPAG. No clear difference was observed between CWPSG and NWSG. Improvements in all fitness measures were also observed in all three groups. These findings collectively indicate the beneficial effects of CWP, as well as NW, on improving cognitive function and physical fitness in older adults, especially those who are physically active.

Therapeutic importance of physical activity during and after cancer treatment has been supported. To examine the patterns of physical activity according to the stages of breast and colorectal cancer survivor-ship in Korean, Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2008 to 2011 were used. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was utilized to estimate weekly time spent in vigorous- and moderate-intensity physical activity, and walking, and to calculate MET-minute/week. Depending on the survivorship, the subjects were categorized into “never diagnosed with cancer” (group 1), “0–4 yr since cancer diagnosis” (group 2), and “5 or more years since cancer diagnosis” (group 3), separately for colorectal and breast cancer. The associations between physical activity and the cancer survivorship were studied. Following results were obtained: (1) Breast cancer (n=10,167, mean age=48.55±16.27): The mean physical activity levels expressed in MET-minutes/week were 2,064.83, 1748.82, and 1998.36 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Even though cancer survivors tended to be less active compared to people without cancer, there were no statistically significant difference among the three groups. (2) Colorectal cancer (n=17,270, mean age=48.62): MET-minutes/week was 2064.30, 1084.83, and 709.04 36 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The differences were significant between group 1 and 2 (F=5.87, P=0.016) and group 1 and 3 (F=28.99, P<0.001). Despite potential therapeutic benefits of physical activity, colorectal cancer survivors were less active than people without cancer in Korea.

This study examined the association among cognitive function, physical fitness, and health status in healthy older women. Ninety-four females aged from 62 to 86 years (72.66 ± 5.38 years) from community healthcare centers and an exercise club in Seoul, South Korea. Cognitive function was assessed using the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery. Physical performance comprised cardiorespiratory endurance, lower extremity strength, active balance ability, and walking speed. Health status included blood pressure and waist circumference. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship among cognitive function, fitness components, and health status, with age and educational attainment as covariates. In the unadjusted model, attention was significantly associated with cardiovascular endurance (B = 0.19, P < 0.05). Memory was significantly associated with lower limb strength (B = 0.77, P < 0.05) and active balance ability (B = 2.35, P < 0.05). In the adjusted model, attention was significantly associated with cardiovascular endurance (B = 0.15, P < 0.05). Memory was significantly associated with lower limb strength (B = 0.87, P < 0.05). In both models, cognitive function was not significantly associated with any health status variable. Though limited by a relatively small sample of female participants, who were healthy registrants of a community exercise program with normal cognitive function, the current study demonstrates that cognitive function is significantly associated with physical fitness, but not with health status, in healthy older women.