Effects of Rowing Exercise on Health Promotion for Older People

Abstract

This study was investigated to evaluate effects of rowing exercise on health promotion and disease prevention for older people by comparing regularly rowing-trained older men（RT）with age-matched less trained men（LT）．RT had higher aerobic capacity and muscle power of leg extension associated with larger leg muscle mass than LT. These results suggest that rowing could be categorized as an exercise mode with both aerobic and resistance. RT had less risk factors related to the metabolic syndrome which has been characterized as higher abdominal fat deposit, higher blood glucose, higher blood pressure, and blood lipid abnormalities, than LT. In conclusion, this study suggests that regularly performed rowing exercise could have beneficial effects on health promotion and lifestyle related diseases prevention for older people.