EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON WEIGHT-REDUCTION IN MIDDLE-AGED OBESE WOMEN

The purpose of this study was to examine the cardiorespiratory respons es to weight reduction resulting from physical exercise in 14 obese wo men, aged 36 to 67 years (mean body mass index [BMI], 32.4 +/- 1.4 kg/ m(2)). The patients were instructed to exercise at approximately 60% o f the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for a total of 2 hours every day for approximately 3 months. To evaluate physical strength, a graded c ycling exercise test that monitored gas exchange, ventilation, and hea rt rate was performed both before and after the study. The following r esults were obtained: (1) After the exercise period, BMI and percentag e of body fat decreased by 10.3% and 17.9%, respectively (P < 0.001), although lean body mass did not change significantly; (2) VO2 max and maximum heart rate did not change significantly, while peak ventilatio n equivalent (VE peak), maximum metabolic equivalent (METS max), and m aximum load (LOAD max) increased by 12.3%, 13.6%, and 11.4%, respectiv ely (VE peak, P < 0.05; METS max and LOAD max, P < 0.001); (3) maximum oxygen uptake per body weight increased by 15.3% (P < 0.001). These r esults suggest that weight reduction due to exercise improves cardiore spiratory function in middle-aged obese women.