title: The effects of senior brain health exercise program on basic physical fitness, cognitive function and BDNF of elderly women - a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was to investigate the impacts of senior brain heath exercise (SBHE) program for 12 weeks to basic active physical fitness, cognitive function and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in elderly women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subject of this study is total of 24 women in the age of 65-79 who can conduct normal daily activity and communication but have not participated in regular exercise in recent 6 months. The study groups were divided into an exercise group (EG, n=13) and a control group (CG, n=11). The exercise program was consisted of SBHE, and training frequency was 4 times weekly, of which training time was a total of 50 minutes each time in level of intensity of 9-14 by rating of perceived exertion (RPE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  First, 12-week SBHE program has shown statistical increase in basic physical fitness in the EG comparing with the CG, such as lower body strength, upper body strength and aerobic endurance, but not in flexibility, agility and dynamic balance. Second, in the case of Mini-mental state examination Korean version (MMSE-K) and BDNF, it showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the EG comparing with the CG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, 12-week SBHE program has resulted in positive effect on change of basic physical fitness (strength and aerobic endurance), cognitive function and BDNF. If above program adds movements that can enhance flexibility, dynamic balance and agility, this can be practical exercise program to help seniors maintain overall healthy lifestyle.
authors: Sports·Wellness Research Center, Yongin University, Yongin-si Republic of Korea.
authors: Jung-Eun
authors: JE
authors: Byun
authors: Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun-Bum
authors: EB
authors: Kang
keywords: Basic physical fitness; Brain derived neurotrophic factor; Cognitive function; Senior brain health exercise program