Effects of Aerobic Conditioning on Morphology and Body Composition in Middle-aged Women

Effect of aerobic conditioning on morphology and body composition were studied 33 middle-aged women (X±S. D age. 47±8.1). Exercise consisted of a 2d/wk, 12 wk aerobic conditioning (32〜59% VO2 max) accompanied by a stretching program. Before and after conditioning phase subjects were measured Body weight, 8 parts of girth, 13 parts of skinfold thickness. The parts which had highly skinfold thickness before conditioning tend to more degrease than those which had less. % Fat was estimated by 2 methods which measured skinfold thickness and Total body water. Body weights were unchanged (52.8±5.03, 52.9±4.52kg). 5 parts of girthes except arm and forearm were degreased, wherereas only calf girth was increased because of muscle hypertrophy. 12 parts of skinfold thickness except a part of cheek were also degreased. % Fat was 10% grater for the using T. B. W. method when compared to the skinfold thickness at about before and after conditioning. These findings suggest that aebobic conditioning had been caused to degrease of excess adiposity on trunk features parts and after that the differences between 2 methods in % Fat were minor. (Journal of Health Science, Kyushu University, 9: 55-61, 1987