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Effects of circuit exercise and T ai C hi on body composition in middle‐aged and older women
Author(s) -
Hsu WeiHsiu,
Hsu Robert WenWei,
Lin ZinRong,
Fan Chun Hao
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.12270
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , body mass index , basal metabolic rate , lean body mass , heart rate , circuit training , basal (medicine) , diastole , endocrinology , physical therapy , body weight , insulin
Aim To investigate the impact of circuit exercise and T ai C hi exercise on body composition in middle‐aged and older women. Methods The present cohort study included 180 women (aged 45–75 years) who were divided into a circuit exercise group, T ai C hi group and control group. The exercise program consisted of 60 min of exercise three times per week for 12 weeks. The circuit exercises were carried out with intensity controlled by heart rate (60–80% of work). The T ai C hi group practiced Y ang style with the same frequency, but with intensity of 50–60% of work. Blood pressure and body composition were assessed. The differences in all variables and the relative changes between baseline and 12 weeks' follow up were evaluated. Results The circuit exercise group showed a significant decrease in body mass index, systolic blood pressure and body fat mass, and an increase in total body muscle mass, lean body mass, bone mineral content and basal metabolic rate. The T ai C hi group showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure. Increases in the basal metabolic rate (1.3 ± 3.0%), total body muscle mass (1.8 ± 4.3%), lean body mass (1.9 ± 4.3%) and bone mineral content (1.8 ± 4.2%), and decreases in body mass index (–2.2 ± 7.8%), body fat (–6.5 ± 10.7%) and diastolic pressure (–1.2 ± 9.4%) were significantly greater in the circuit exercise group than in T ai C hi or control group. Conclusion Circuit exercise for 12 weeks increases lean body mass and basal metabolic rate more effectively than T ai C hi exercise. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 282–288.