Kyoung-Bae Kim, Kijin Kim, Changsun Kim, Suh-Jung Kang, Hyo Jeong Kim, Seok Yoon, Yun-A Shin. JOMES 2019;28:278-94. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2019.28.4.278

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL), and estrogen level, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in pre- and postmenopausal obese women. Fifty-four obese women (premenopausal, n=25; postmenopausal, n=29) were selected to participate in this study. The outcome measurements in the pre- and postmenopausal groups were compared using independent t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis. The estrogen level (P<0.001), LTL (P<0.05), high-density lipoprotein level (P<0.05), and CRF (P<0.001) were higher in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women. The body fat percentage (P<0.05) and triglyceride concentration (P<0.05) were lower in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women. There were no significant associations between LTL, CVD risk, CRF, and oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in pre-menopausal women. The body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent-age in postmenopausal women were negatively associated with LTL (P<0.05). When all women were considered (i.e., both pre- and post-menopause), the BMI, percentage of fat, and waist circumference had a negative association with LTL (P<0.05), and estrogen levels were positively associated with LTL (P<0.05). Decreased estrogen levels after menopause, a pivotal factor in the biology of aging, and obesity were more associated with shorter telomere lengths in pre- and postmenopausal women than aerobic capacity and other CVD risk factors.

Yun-A Shin. JOMES 2019;28:92-104. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2019.28.2.92

Pilates and resistance exercises are used for lumbar stabilization training. However, it is unclear which exercise is more effective for lumbar stabilization. In our study, we aimed to compare surface muscle activity and deep muscle thickness during relaxation and spinal stabilization exercise in experienced Pilates and resistance exercise instructors. This study is a retrospective case control study set in the Exercise Prescription Laboratory and Sports Medicine Center. The participants included Pilates instructors (mean years of experience, 3.20±1.76; n=10), resistance exercise instructors (mean years of experience, 2.53±0.63; n=10), and controls (n=10). The participants performed 4 different stabilization exercises: abdominal drawing-in maneuver, bridging, roll-up, and one-leg raise. During the stabilization exercises, surface muscle activity was measured with electromyography, whereas deep muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound imaging. During the 4 stabilization exercises, the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) was significantly greater in the Pilates-trained group than the other 2 other groups. The internal oblique (IO) thickness was significantly greater in the Pilates- and resistance-trained group than the control group, during the 4 exercises. However, the surface muscle activities were similar between the groups. Both Pilates and resistance exercise instructors had greater activation of deep muscles, such as the TrA and IO, than the control subjects. Pilates and resistance exercise are both effective for increasing abdominal deep muscle thickness.

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been suggested to be associated with stroke and dementia. However, the effects of exercise training on dementia according to the APOE genotype are not consistent to those reported by previous studies. Therefore, we examined the effects of exercise training on stroke risk factors including blood pressure, lipid profiles, homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations, and cognitive function according to the APOE genotype in stroke patients. We examined the stroke risk factors, Hcy, and cognitive function in 28 ischemic stroke patients before and after 6 months of exercise training. After exercise training, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat decreased significantly in both APOE groups. According to the APOE genotype, the changes in BMI in the APOE ɛ4 group higher than those in APOE ɛ3 group significantly. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, triglyceride (TG), and Hcy decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C increased significantly in the both groups. According to the APOE genotype, systolic blood pressure in the APOE ɛ4 group decreased, but in the APOE ɛ3 group increased after exercise training. TC, LDL-C, and TG in the APOE ɛ4 group decreased more extensively than those in the APOE ɛ3 group after exercise training. VO2max (maximal oxygen consumption) and cognition increased significantly in both groups. Folate acid intake also increased significantly in both groups. The APOE genotype affects variations in the risk factors of stroke after exercise training. However, the Hcy and cognitive function did not differ based on the APOE genotype.

Yun-A Shin, Kyoung-Bae Kim. J Obes Metab Syndr -0001;0:0-. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes21092