The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in maximal oxygen consumption, muscle mass, whole bone mineral density, and risk factors for falls after 24 weeks of multi-component exercise training. Subjects were consisted of forty elderly women from the same community who had an MMSE score higher than 24. The combined exercise program included stretching for 20 minutes, low impact aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, and 30 minutes of resistance training. The program was conducted 3 times a week for 24 weeks. We found that the VO₂max, muscle mass, and BMD of greater trochanter were significantly increased. Balance function and body sway were also significantly improved. Therefore, it appears that increased physical activity through multi-component exercise training plays a positive role in improving body composition and reducing risk factors for falls due to aging.

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.