[The effects of low intensity aerobic training on the physiological indexes and the quality of life in middle-aged white collar workers].
The effects of short-term low intensity aerobic training on the physiological indexes and the Quality of Life were examined in 43 middle-aged White Collar Workers. Training was carried out for 205 +/- 117 minutes/week, at least 2-3 times/week for 2 months on a cycle ergometer or walking with intensity level set at the 50% VO2max. Following this training protocol, thirty-six men (exercise group) completed the 2-month training program and 7 men dropped out (the dropout group). In the exercise group, both the VO2max (l/min) and VO2max/wt increased significantly (VO2max (l/min): P < 0.05. VO2max/wt: P < 0.01), whereas the weight, body mass index, %fat, fat (kg) and the waist hip ratio (WHR) decreased significantly (WHR: P < 0.05, others: P < 0.01) after 2 months. In addition, the DBP and serum TC, LDL-c/HDL-c decreased significantly (LDL-c/HDL-c: P < 0.01, others: P < 0.05) whereas the HDL-c increased significantly (P < 0.05). A modified Croog questionnaire was used to assess the subject's Quality of Life. The questionnaire consisted of 59 questions and the overall assessment was based on eight components. Regarding the Quality of Life, physical symptoms, work performance and satisfaction, total Quality of Life all improved significantly (physical symptoms, P < 0.05; others: P < 0.01) and social participation also tended to improve (P < 0.08). There was a significantly negative correlation between the initial Quality of Life and the changes in the Quality of Life (6 of the 8 components). In the all subjects, there was a significantly positive correlation between the changes in physical symptoms and the changes in VO2max/wt (r = 0.36, P < 0.05). In the dropout group, the FBS increased significantly (P < 0.05) but no other variables regarding the Quality of Life significantly changed after 2 months. In conclusion the above results suggest that short-term low intensity aerobic training in the present study can help improve the physiological indexes, VO2max and Quality of Life in middle-aged White Collar Workers and the observed improvement in the Quality of Life was also found to be greater in the subjects with a low Quality of Life than in those with a high Quality of Life.
Fukuoka Institute of Occupational Health, Japan.
K
K
Chikuji
M
M
Motoyama
H
H
Ohto
T
T
Morita
Y
Y
Sunami
M
M
Tanaka
M
M
Shindo
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001824:Body Constitution; D015444:Exercise; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life
D008055:Lipids