The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise program and intake dropwort on body compositin, senior fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factor, and vascular compliance in elderly women.
The subject for the study were forty-eight elderly female volunteer, aged 75 to 85 years, composed of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group (n=12), combined exercise program group (n=12), intake dropwort group (n=12), and control group (n=12).
The combined exercise program was performed for 60 minutes 3 times per week during which the intensity progressively increased for 40~50%HRR, RPE 12 to 13 (1~4 weeks), 50~60%HRR, RPE 13 to 14 (5~8 weeks), and 60~70%HRR, RPE 14 to 15 (9~12 weeks).
Intake group were instructed to take an dropwort everyday after breakfast and dinner during the 12 week.
The test data were analyzed by paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA), and the alpha level of p<0.5 was set for all tests of significance.

The results of this study are as follows:

1. Body composition

1) Weight of intake dropwort group and control group in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of weight among groups (intake dropwort group, control group > combined exercise program group).

2) Body fat of intake dropwort group and control group in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of weight among groups (intake dropwort group, control group > combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group).

3) There was no significant difference in the rate of change of skeletal muscle mass among groups.

4) Waist circumference of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group and combined exercise program group in post-test significantly decreased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of waist circumference among groups (control group > combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group).

2. Senior fitness

1) Muscle strength of lower limb of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group and combined exercise program group in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of muscle strength of lower limb among groups (combined exercise program group > intake dropwort group and control group).

2) Muscle strength of arm of combined exercise program in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of muscle strength of arm among groups (combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group > control group).
3) Waist flexibility of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of waist flexibility among groups (combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group > intake dropwort group and control group).

4) There were no significant differences in the rate of change of shoulder joint flexibility and agility and balance among groups.

5) Whole body endurance of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test.

3. Cardiovascular disease risk factor

1) There were no significant differences in the rate of change of diastolic blood pressure and glucose among groups.

2) Total cholesterol of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group in post-test significantly decreased to that in pre-test.

3) Triglycerides and insulin of ombined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group in post-test significantly decreased to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of waist flexibility among groups (intake dropwort group and control group > combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group).

4) High density lipoprotein cholesterol of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group and intake dropwort group in post-test significantly increased as compared to that in pre-test.

5) Low density lipoprotein cholesterol of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group and combined exercise program group in post-test significantly decreased as compared to that in pre-test.

6) C-reactive protein of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group in post-test significantly decreased as compared to that in pre-test.

7) Insulin resistance of combined exercise program and intake dropwort group and combined exercise program group in post-test significantly decreased as compared to that in pre-test. There was a significant difference in the rate of change of insulin resistance among groups (control group > combined exercise program and intake dropwort group, combined exercise program group).

4. Vascular compliance

1) Vascular compliance of intake dropwort group in post-test significantly decreased as compared to that in pre-test.
Therefore, regular and continuous combined exercise is effective in improving the body composition, senior fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factor, and vascular compliance for elderly women. Also, the intake of dropwort may be expected to be useful in vascular health by serving a secondary role in disease prevention and health promotion.