Abstract
Purpose We developed a one-year exercise program based on evaluation of life style and physical fitness and investigated its efficacy.
Subjects and Methods Sixty one Japanese males (30≦age<59, body mass index: BMI≧26.4 kg/m2) were enrolled in the stady. The exercise program consisted of four sections: (1) Preparation for preventing injury; (2) Increase of daily activity; (3) Enjoying exercise; (4) Preparation and practice of individual-based on a exercise program. The subjects visited Okayama Southern Institute of Health and were being monitored weekly for one-year. They were instructed to check daily steps every day and increase daily walking to at least 1000 steps more than the daily walk at baseline. Before and after one-year follow up study, we evaluated life style and physical fitness in terms of body composition, aerobic exercise level, muscle strength and flexibility.
Results The continuation rate for the program was 66%. Body weight (pre 81.5±7.4 kg vs post 78.6±7.3 kg), body fat percentage (pre 30.3±4.1% vs post 28.4±5.0%) and waist hip ratio (pre 0.95±0.04 vs post 0.92±0.04) were significantly reduced. Aerobic exercise level and muscle strength were increased. Regarding volition for exercise, execution, continuation and steps per day were also improved.
Conclusion Regular exercise at an institution (once a week) and change in daily life style may play critical role in reducing body weight. This new program proved quite useful for Japanese obese males.
