title: Effects of two modes of exercise on physical fitness and endothelial function in the elderly: exercise with a flexible stick versus Tai Chi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine the effects of exercise with flexible stick training on physical fitness and endothelial function and compare it with Tai Chi training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty older women volunteered for the present study and were divided into EF group (EF: n=16; 70.3 + 2.5 yr) and TC group (TC: n=14; 69.5 +/- 4.5 yr). Both training groups performed training assigned protocol that consisted of 70% of maximal heart rate, 40 minutes per day, four days per week for 12 weeks. Health related physical fitness and biochemical data were assessed in all participants. Post-Occlusive Reactive Hyperemia (PORH) was used to monitor endothelial function by using a Laser-Doppler fluxmeter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The health related physical fitness was significantly higher in the EF group (p < 0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde and von Willebrand factor, an indicator of free radical damage and endothelial dysfunction, respectively as well as cholesterol level were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the EF group. The peak Laser-Doppler flux (LDF)/baseline LDE and recovery time were significantly improved after 12 weeks of EF training (p < 0.05). This was not observed after 12 weeks of TC training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EF, a Thai novel exercise that combined endurance and strength training was a more effective exercise modality than TC for improving physical fitness and endothelial function. It improved reactive oxygen species in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sports Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. daroonwanc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Daroonwan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suksom
authors.forename: Apanchanit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siripatt
authors.forename: Pattawan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lapo
authors.forename: Suthiluk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patumraj
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000628:therapy; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D055070:Resistance Training; D026302:Tai Ji; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species