Prescribed exercise regimens based on the target heart rate (THR) and the target work rate (TWR) on a cycle ergometer at the intensity of the lactate threshold (LT) were evaluated before, and after 6 and 12 weeks of exercise therapy in obese subjects with (OBHT, n=38) and without hypertension (OB, n=55) matching for age, sex, BMI, body composition, as well as the blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride level. THR was 97.8±9.2 in OBHT and 98.3±10.7 in OB without group differences. The resting HR was higher in OBHT than in OB (76.3 vs. 72.1). Both the relative THR (%HR reserve) and the relative TWR (%Body weight) were lower in OBHT than in OB. During the training period, the VO₂max, THR and TWR increased while body fat decreased significantly in both groups. The resting BP and HR decreased, and the %HRR increased significantly in OBHT. In conclusion, the lower THR and TWR are therefore recommended when initially prescribing an exercise regimen without an exercise stress test for obese individuals, particularly for the obese subjects with HT based on the exercise intensity at LT. Thereafter, careful modifications in the prescribed exercise regimen will be needed according to improvements in the fitness level and in coronary risk factors.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships of physical fitness, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) with lipid and glucose metabolism in premenopausal obese women aged 32 to 49 yrs (n=24) . WHR was significantly correlated with HDL-C, HDL₂-C and Apo B, but not correlated with BMI %fat, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), triglyceride (TG), very low density lipoprotein % fat, and Apo A 1. VO₂max/kg was significantly associated with BMI, TG, HDL-C, HDL₂-C, Apo Al, low density lipoprotein (LDL), SHBG, glucose metabolism at rest and during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) . The SHBG was strongly correlated with HDL-C, HDL₂-C and Apo A 1. In multiple regression analysis, it was observed that SHBG was one of the independ-ent predictor of HDL-C, HDL₂-C and Apo Al, that VO₂max was good predictor of LDL, Apo B and glucose metabolism at rest and during OGTT, and that BMI was one of the determinat of TG and VLDL. From these results, we concluded that lipid metabolism was independently associated with aerobic work capacity, SHBG, BMI as well as WHR, and that glucose metabolism was independently associated with aerobic work capacity.

Heart rate (HR) corresponding to lactate threshold (LT) was evaluated in patients with multiple risk factors and applied to determine the target HR by Karvonen's formula calculated from the predicted HR max. The subjects were 52 outpatients (33 men and 19 women) aged from 23 to 70 years old (mean 46.9) with more than 2 risk factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperinsulinemia. A multistage graded test of submaximal exercise on electric bicycle ergometer was performed for each subject before starting exercise therapy. The workload was increased every 4 minutes, and heart rate, blood pressure, and blood lactate concentration were measured during the last 1 minute of each stage. The LTHR ranged from 80 to 120 beats/min (mean 101±10) and Karvonen's coefficients ranged from 0.08 to 0.40 (mean 0.22±0.08) . Because of these differences and variance, it is suggested that LTHR should be measured directly or about 20% HR reserve should be prescribed at least when starting exercise therapy for these cases.

We conducted a 14−year follow−up study to analyze the hazard ratio(HR) of mortality regarding lifestyle−related factors in Saga Prefecture, Japan. The subjects included 2, 170 people, who were randomly selected from men and women aged from 40 to 69 years old, and who also completed the standardized questionnaire on lifestyle in 1983. Information about death and corresponding data were obtained either by mail and/or through the city offices in 1997. We found that a lower body weight, a lower physical fitness level, not consuming a balanced diet, and cigarette smoking to be significantly elevated risks for all−causes of death in males after adjustment by age and health status. In addition, these results did not change even after excluding subjects for early death. The HR of the female subjects who quit smoking was significantly high, although it changed to insignificant after excluding subjects for early death. These results suggested that being underweight might be an index of a positive risk of death, while maintaining a higher physical fitness level, being careful to consume a more balanced diet, and non smoking all appear to be indexes of a negative risk of death. In addition, these results might also be considered good evidence for improving poor health habits in health promotion activities.
Cessation of life ; Life Style ; Male population group ; Related ; Total

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between forearm bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI), and body composition focusing on body fat percentage (BF%) in Japanese females 18 to 40 years old.

METHODSSubjects were 2,280 females 18-40 years old. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and a medical history was obtained by questionnaire, including age at the time of the study and age at menarche. BF% was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Forearm BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The correlations of BMD with BMI and BF% were analyzed using a structural equation model.

RESULTSThe standardized regression coefficients for the path from BMI to BMD and the path from BF% to BMD were 0.538 and -0.184 respectively. The squared multiple correlation of BMD was 0.146. In addition, the standardized regression coefficient for the path from BMI to BF% was 0.896.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed a positive correlation between BMD and BMI and an inverse correlation between BMD and BF%. At the same time, it was noted that BF% increased with BMI. This indicated that BMD is dependant on BF% in subjects who have a similar BMI. Therefore, this study concluded that it is necessary to take body composition measurements into account when examining the relationship between BMI and BMD, especially in young females.