The Effect of Combined Exercise Training on Carotid Artery Structure and Function, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf) in Obese Older Women

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 12-week combined exercise program on carotid artery structure and function, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in obese older women. All subjects were sixty years or older (66.90±4.2 years), performed the combined exercise training during 12-week consisting of aerobic exercise, band exercise, and yoga exercise for 70 minutes 3 times a week under the supervision of exercise specialist. Despite no statistically significant change in control group, percent body fat mass (3.26 %, p<.01), systolic blood pressure (6.2 mmHg, p<.05), diastolic blood pressure (5.6 mmHg, p<.001), and 10 m maximal walking time (0.56 sec, p<.05), TC (20.5 mg/dl, p<.05), and LDL-C (22.16 mg/dl, p<.05) were significantly decreased respectively after 12-week combined exercise in exercise group. In addition, sit-and-reach (3.6 cm, p<.01), oxygen uptake per weight (3.27 ml/kg/min, p<.05), VEGF (17.85 pg/dl, p<.001), and carotid artery LD (0.4 cm, p<.01), PFV (10.06 cm/sec, p<.05), EFV (6.04 cm/sec, p<.05) were significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group. The VEGF had the significant correlation with LD (r=.389, p<.01), PFV (r=.427, p<.01), EFV (r=.264, p<.05). In conclusion, 12-week combined exercise program is effective to improve and/or physical function and body composition. And also, exercise can improve serum lipid metabolism, VEGF regulation, and carotid artery function and structure.