The Effects of Walking Exercise on the Cardiovascular Function and Respiratory Function in Elderly Women

The purpose of this study is to investigate changes of cardiovascular function and respiratory function according to 12 weeks walking exercise in elderly women. The subjects of this study were totally 24 elderly women and divided into two groups：walking group (n＝12) and compared group (n＝12). The walking exercise was performed 3days per a week during 12 weeks by intensity of 40~60% HRmax. The data from this study were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The results are as follow：1. On the difference of cardiovascular functions, Maximum oxygen uptake per body weight were sig nificantly increase (p.001). HRrest were significantly decrease (p.01). SBP and DBP were significantly decrease (p.001, p.01). 2. On the difference of respiratory functions, FVC were significantly increase (p.05), and FEV1 were significantly increase (p.001). With aging, strength and cardiopulmonary functions are decrease. So it is important to take walking exercise as aerobic exercise regularly with use of gross muscle group.