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Background: Physical inactivity and reduced energy expenditure lead to increase in obesity among office workers. In this study, we investigated how 10 weeks of high intensity circuit training and working environment improvement can change body composition, physical strength and markers of metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 83 employees at risk for metabolic syndrome participated in 10 weeks program of one-hour circuit training (30 minutes twice weekly) and workplace improvement program, which consisted of dynamic stretching twice daily for all weekdays. Body composition, anthropometry, blood test, muscle strength/endur- ance and cardiopulmonary function of participants were assessed at the baseline and after 10 weeks. Results: At the end of 10 weeks, significant increases in levels of body composition, serum lipids, muscle strength and cardiopulmonary were observed in metabolic syndrome risk factor group. In body composition, significant improvements of body weight, body mass index, lean body mass, %body fat, visceral adipose tissue, waist and hip circumference and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure were observed in metabolic syndrome risk factor group. In lipids, hemoglobin A1c and high density lipoprotein were increased significantly in metabolic syndrome risk factor group. In muscle strength and endurance, significant increases were found. Also, there was a significant difference in cardiovascular function of maximal oxygen uptake and total running time among the groups. Conclusions: These intensive 10 weeks of high intensity circuit training and workplace improvement program were effective in improving body composition, muscle strength/improvement and cardiopulmonary function. Therefore, based on this study result, workplace improvement programs might be more developed and applied for high-risk employees to improve their metabolic syndrome. Korean J Health Promot 2016;16(2):134-143

Background: As the elderly population increasing, the interest in osteoporosis, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases has increased in recent years. In accordance with such trend, many studies regarding correlations between bone density and hyperlipidemia have been conducted. However, the study outcomes have been inconsistent so far, and most of the studies focused on females. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum lipid levels and bone density in healthy Korean male adults. Methods: This study surveyed 851 male adults, who visited an examination center at a university hospital, on smoking, drinking, hypertension, and diabetes history. A laboratory examination measured total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, and apolipoprotein B. For bone density, lumbar, femoral neck, and femur were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Body mass index (BMI) and bone density T-value showed a positive correlation. Triglyceride exhibited a positive correlation with bone density T-value, and they still revealed a significant positive correlation after correcting for age and BMI. While high density lipoprotein cholesterol showed a negative correlation with bone density, they were not correlated significantly after correcting for age and BMI. There was no correlation found between low density lipoprotein cholesterol and bone density. Conclusions: This study confirmed that bone densities of all areas measured were significantly increased in Korean male adults as triglyceride increased. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol did not show a significant correlation with bone density. Korean J Health Promot 2015;15(3):115-120

Background: Aging related decrease in muscle strength and flexibility leads to functional loss of physical ability. Power training is known to improve these capacities and helps in performing daily routine better. Therefore, we modified previously proven and certified sarcopenia intervention exercise for elderly in rural community and applied them to examine the effects on physical fitness and muscle functions to show its applicability. Methods: Subjects were divided into control and exercise group using single-blind method. Exercise group underwent high-speed elastic band training(concentric contraction in 1 second) 2 days per week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, we performed body composition analysis, anthropometric measurement, blood test, blood pressure check, senior fitness test (SFT), upper body and lower body strength examination. Korean version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (K-PASE), and Center for Epidemiological StudiesDepression Scale (CES-D) were also assessed. Results: Body weight in control group was significantly increased (Paired t-test: P=0.008), although it was consistent in exercise group (Group×Time: P=0.013). 30-second chair stand (P