title: Effects of 8-week combined training on body composition, isokinetic strength, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Decline in muscle endurance and strength as well as attenuated cardiac function with aging not only leads to overall physical function decline but also has a close relationship with cardiovascular disease occurrence. This study examined the effects of an 8-week combined training program (i.e., consisting of both aerobic and resistance training) on body composition, isokinetic strength, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen women, aged 65-75 years, were randomly assigned to either a combined training (CT, n = 9) or an aerobic training (AT, n = 10) group. Body composition and isokinetic strength were assessed before and after the exercise program. Blood samples were collected to identify CVD risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the training program, body mass, body fat mass, percent body fat, and body mass index decreased significantly and lean mass increased significantly in the CT group compared with those in the AT group (p < 0.05). Isokinetic strength was also significantly greater in the CT group than in the AT group (p < 0.05). In addition, the C-reactive protein level was significantly lower in the CT group than in the AT group, whereas interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in both groups (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An 8-week combined exercise program benefits body composition, especially lean mass, and positively affects isokinetic strength and CVD risk factors. Therefore, increasing lean mass and strength by continuously participating in a combined exercise program may be an effective treatment for preventing and improving CVD in older women.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Lab, Department of Physical Education, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chang Gyun
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Bum
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Hyo Gun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D055070:Resistance Training; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D002097:C-Reactive Protein