• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.929-938
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• 2024

This study examined the effects of a 12-week combined exercise program on blood lipids, albumin, and free fatty acid (FFA) levels in obese, middle-aged women, aged 55-64, who were within five years post-menopause. The participants were divided into two groups: a moderate-intensity exercise group (MIG, n=10) and a high-intensity exercise group (HIG, n=10). Both groups performed resistance exercises using elastic bands and aerobic walking on treadmills three times a week for 60 minutes per session. Data analysis involved calculating the mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) for each measurement item. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess interaction effects between groups and periods. Paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate within-group differences over time, and independent t-tests were used to compare between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at .05 for all analyses. Results showed a significant interaction effect for triglycerides (TG) among the blood lipids (p<.05). No statistically significant difference was found in albumin levels. FFA levels significantly decreased in both groups due to the interaction effect (p<.05), with a more pronounced decrease in the MIG group. These findings indicate that regular exercise is effective in improving and preventing obesity in post-menopausal, obese middle-aged women. Notably, moderate-intensity exercise had a more substantial impact on TG and FFA levels compared to high-intensity exercise. Therefore, continuous moderate-intensity exercise is recommended to improve obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle before transitioning into old age.