The effects of aerobic and resistance training on the physical fitness in the daily lives and physiological change in the relationship to exercise performance in elderly women

To investigate beneficial effects of aerobic and resistance training on the physical fitness in the daily lives and physiological change in the relationship to exercise performance in elderly women, we conducted various tests for measurement of physical fitness and physiological change in the relationship to exercise performance during 20 weeks of exercise training. Exercise program of this study consisted of 12 weeks of aerobic training and subsequent 8 weeks of resistance training. Thirty five elderly women aged from 65 to 75 were randomly assigned to either aerobic and resistance training group (n=18) or control group(n=17). The effects of 20 weeks of aerobic and resistance training on physical fitness in the daily life and cardiorespiratory function were studied in pre-, mid-, and post-exercise training. 1. While the test was being conducted for the training group, the level of fitness in the daily life increased bearing statistical importance (p＜.05) with the exception of the following exercises; bending down the torso in a sitting position, stretching out both arms, pole exercise, cross-clasping both hands behind the back. 2. Post-exercise test measurements for the training group showed an increase with statistical significance(p＜05) to 8.5㎖ㆍ㎏?¹ㆍmin?¹(4.3%) in VO₂max, about 11.9 bpm(7.go/o) in HRmax and about 11.7 lㆍmin?¹(2.5%) in VEmax, while SBP decreased to 16.5㎜Hg(11.8). 3. Post-exercise test measurements for the training group showed an increase with statistical significance((p＜05) to 0.2 l (8.3%)in inspiratory volume while maximum expiratory volume measured 7.2lㆍmin?¹(8.2%). Based on the study of the test results in comparing the training group and the control group, it can be inferred that long-term regular exercise brings about positive changes to the physical fitness in everyday life and physiology while reducing the decrease of VO₂max which inevitably decreases with consequent lower HRmax due to aging.