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Original ArticleOpen Access
Effects of Two Modes of Exercise on Physical Fitness and Endothelial Function in the Elderly: Exercise with a Flexible Stick Versus Tai Chi
Suksom D 
,
Siripatt A ,
Lapo P ,
Patumraj S
,
Siripatt A ,
Lapo P ,
Patumraj S Objective: Determine the effects of exercise with flexible stick training on physical fitness and endothelial function andcompare it with Tai Chi training.
Material and Method: Thirty older women volunteered for the present study and were divided into EF group (EF: n = 16;70.3 + 2.5 yr) and TC group (TC: n = 14; 69.5 + 4.5 yr). Both training groups performed training assigned protocol thatconsisted of 70% of maximal heart rate, 40 minutes per day, four days per week for 12 weeks. Health related physical fitnessand biochemical data were assessed in all participants. Post-Occlusive Reactive Hyperemia (PORH) was used to monitorendothelial function by using a Laser-Doppler fluxmeter.
Result: The health related physical fitness was significantly higher in the EF group (p < 0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde andvon Willebrand factor, an indicator of free radical damage and endothelial dysfunction, respectively as well as cholesterollevel were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the EF group. The peak Laser-Doppler flux (LDF)/baseline LDF, and recoverytime were significantly improved after 12 weeks of EF training (p < 0.05). This was not observed after 12 weeks of TCtraining.
Conclusion: EF, a Thai novel exercise that combined endurance and strength training was a more effective exercise modalitythan TC for improving physical fitness and endothelial function. It improved reactive oxygen species in the elderly.
Keywords: Exercise with a flexible stick, Tai Chi, Health related physical fitness, Postocclusive reactive hyperemia, Reactiveoxygen species
Material and Method: Thirty older women volunteered for the present study and were divided into EF group (EF: n = 16;70.3 + 2.5 yr) and TC group (TC: n = 14; 69.5 + 4.5 yr). Both training groups performed training assigned protocol thatconsisted of 70% of maximal heart rate, 40 minutes per day, four days per week for 12 weeks. Health related physical fitnessand biochemical data were assessed in all participants. Post-Occlusive Reactive Hyperemia (PORH) was used to monitorendothelial function by using a Laser-Doppler fluxmeter.
Result: The health related physical fitness was significantly higher in the EF group (p < 0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde andvon Willebrand factor, an indicator of free radical damage and endothelial dysfunction, respectively as well as cholesterollevel were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the EF group. The peak Laser-Doppler flux (LDF)/baseline LDF, and recoverytime were significantly improved after 12 weeks of EF training (p < 0.05). This was not observed after 12 weeks of TCtraining.
Conclusion: EF, a Thai novel exercise that combined endurance and strength training was a more effective exercise modalitythan TC for improving physical fitness and endothelial function. It improved reactive oxygen species in the elderly.
Keywords: Exercise with a flexible stick, Tai Chi, Health related physical fitness, Postocclusive reactive hyperemia, Reactiveoxygen species
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