Abstract:
The objective of this research was to develop a step aerobic combined with resistance training exercise program, and to compare the effects of a) step aerobic exercise training (STE) , b) resistance exercise training (RES) ,and c) a combined step aerobic with resistance exercise training (COM) on the health-related fitness, balance, and biochemical bone markers. Sixty participants were working-age female volunteers aged 35-45 years old. They were divided into 4 groups by simple random sampling method. Fifteen subjects were in the STE group, 14 subjects in the RES group, 15 subjects in the COM group, and 16 subjects in the control group (CON), respectively. All of experimental groups performed 50 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Basic physiological information, health-related physical fitness, biochemical bone markers and balance of every subject were evaluated before and after 16 weeks of training. Data were analyzed by two way ANOVA, two way ANOVA with repeated measure and paired t-test. The significant level was set at .05 level. After the 16 weeks experiment, the significant improvement was found in the COM and STE groups of exercise training for β-CrossLaps, P1NP, NMID Osteocalcin and bone formation (PINP/ βCrossLaps x0.31) but not in the RES group. For balance ability, the COM group showed significantly greater change than the RES group and CON group after the training intervention. (p<.05) It can thus be concluded that the STE and COM training were effective in improving bone formation (PINP/ βCrossLaps x0.31) but not in the RES group. For balance ability, COM group showed significant greater changed than the RES group alone.