Citation

Kim YS, Shin SK, Hong SB, Kim HJ. Exp. Gerontol. 2017; 97: 22-28.

Affiliation

Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hakjink@pusan.ac.kr.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.exger.2017.07.007

PMID

28716635

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Various positive effects of exercise on elderly women have been identified in many studies. Despite the importance of preserving the health of brain as well as body, few studies have investigated the effects of strength exercise on the brain health of elderly women to date. This study aimed to identify the effects of 24weeks of the Growing Stronger program on hippocampus volume and functional fitness of elderly women.

METHODS: Twenty elderly women aged over 65 participated in this study. Growing Stronger, which is a strength exercise program that is safe and effective for women and men of all ages, was conducted in 11 strength exercise group three times a week for 50-80min for 24weeks. The control group maintained their lifestyles without any special intervention. Subjects were given a pre-test (before applying for the program) and post-test (after 24weeks) to identify effects of the program. The data were analyzed with a two-way repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS: Hippocampus volume was significantly increased in the strength exercise group, but decreased in the control group. Moreover, there was an interaction effect (p<0.001) between time and group. Strength exercise has improved upper and lower body strength, lower body flexibility, agility, and dynamic balance. Upper body flexibility significantly decreased in the strength exercise group, but there was no interaction between the strength exercise group and the control group.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that strength exercise has beneficial effects on hippocampus volume and functional fitness. Therefore, strength exercise can be an effective exercise for elderly women.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Functional fitness; Hippocampus; Senior fitness test