Effects of Community-Based Group Walking Exercise Program

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a group walking exercise on body composition, blood lipid profiles and psychological factors. Also this study was to examine the satisfaction of walking exercise and characteristics of the exercise behavior among participants. Method: The subjects, aged 30 to 77 years, were 138 participants in a 24-week, group walking exercise. A walking exercise protocol and education was given to the participants, which was to do walking over three times a week and over thirty minutes each time. We compared the participants' body composition (BMI, PBF, BFM, FFM, WHR and VFA), blood lipid profiles (HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, triglyceride), exercise self-efficacy and quality of life before and after group walking excercise. Collected data were analyzed through paired t-test using the SAS program. Results: Mean walking frequency was 11.4 times per month and mean walking time was 71.5 min. BMI, PBF, BFM, WHR, and VFA were significantly decreased. FFM increased significantly (p=.0002). There were significant decreased in TC, LDL-C and TG.. Exercise self-efficacy did not increase significantly, but quality of life increased significantly(p=.0088). Conclusion: Community-Based 24 weeks group walking exercise program had positive effects on body composition, blood lipids and quality of life.