This study investigated the effect of 12 weeks’ Forest-Walking on immune function(T-cell, B-cell, NK-cell) and antioxidant hormone(blood melatonin) of women at rest and after 90% HRR exercise in their 50s. 20 women in their 50s participated in this program and were assigned to 2 groups: FWE-G(Forest Walking Exercise Group)(n=10) and GWE-G(Ground Walking Exercise Group)(n=10). The subjects were asked to participate in FWE program or GWE program(3 times/week, 110min/day) for 12 weeks. To measure immune function(T-cell, B-cell, NK-cell) and blood melatonin levels of subjects at rest and 90% HRR exercise, their blood were taken 4 times(at Rest and 90% HRR after exercise) at the beginning and at the end of the 12-week program. For data 90% HRR after exercise) at the beginning and at the end of the 12-week program. For data analysis, mean and standard deviation scores were calculated, and independent t-test and repeated two-way ANOVA were used, depending on rest and after 90% HRR exercise. After 12-weeks training program, the results of this study were as follows:
First, through the exercise program before and after 12 weeks, both forest walking and ground walking groups showed significant increases in T-cell activity at rest and after 90% HRR exercise.
Second, through the exercise program before and after 12 weeks, both forest walking and ground walking groups showed no significant B-cell activity at rest and after 90% HRR exercise.
Third, through the exercise program before and after 12 weeks, the forest walking movement group showed the activity of NK-cell, which is higher than the level of the ground walking movement group at rest and after 90% HRR exercise.
Fourth, through the exercise program before and after 12 weeks, the level of melatonin increased more in the forest walking movement group than in the ground walking at rest and after 90% HRR exercise.
Therefore, this study of women in their 50s showed that forest walking in forest environment conditions after 12-week exercise program was effective in immune function(T-cell and NK-cell) and antioxidant hormone(melatonin). These results suggest that walking exercises in the forest environment have a positive effect on women in their 50s'' immune function and improvement of antioxidant hormone(melatonin), which are effective for the health management of middle-aged women.