Abstract
Effects of Digital Care Exercise Program on Body Composition, Mental Health, and Physical Function in Overweight Middle-Aged Women
Seong Won Park
Graduate School of Physical Education
Korea National Sports University
This study applied a ...
Abstract
Effects of Digital Care Exercise Program on Body Composition, Mental Health, and Physical Function in Overweight Middle-Aged Women
Seong Won Park
Graduate School of Physical Education
Korea National Sports University
This study applied a digital care-based exercise program to 45 overweight middle-aged women for 12 weeks to investigate the effects on Body Composition(weight, body fat mass, muscle mass, etc.), Mental Health(brain wave: EEG/pulse wave: PPG, depression and stress, cognitive function, quality of life, etc.), and Physical Function (physical strength test, isokinetic knee joint test, etc.).
The study subjects were divided into control group = 15, digital care face-to-face exercise group = 15, and digital care non-face-to-face exercise group = 15. The in-person exercise program was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 80 minutes. The intensity levels were as follows: weeks 1-3 at 50-60% HRmax (heart rate: 100-120bpm), weeks 4-9 at 60-70% HRmax (heart rate: 120-140bpm), and weeks 10-12 at 60-80% HRmax (heart rate: 120-150bpm). The digital care-based exercise program was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks and provided non-face-to-face exercise video content and self-monitoring, including walking, heart rate, and continuous feedback.
The main results were as follows. First, a comparison of body composition before and after the intervention among overweight middle-aged women participating in the digital care exercise program across the control group (CG), exercise group (EXG), and combined exercise and digital care group (UEXG) revealed observable changes within each group. However, no statistically significant differences were found between three groups.
Second, a comparison of mental health and cognitive function before and after the intervention across the same groups indicated notable changes over time. In particular, statistically significant improvements were observed in mental health indicators, including reduced brain stress levels (p<.001) and lower self-reported stress scores based on questionnaire assessments (p<.01).
Third, regarding physical function variables including grip strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, functional reach, one-leg stance with eyes closed, 2.45-meter up-and-go test, and isokinetic strength meaningful improvements were observed following the intervention. a statistically significant improvement was found in the isokinetic test for the peak torque to body weight ratio (PeakTQ/BW) during knee extension (p<.001), indicating a notable training effect.
In conclusion, the digital healthcare-based exercise program, objectively evaluated through scientific assessments of brain and physical function, can be regarded as an effective intervention for improving health management, enhancing physical fitness, and preventing muscle function decline in middle-aged women. These findings underscore the importance of advancing healthcare delivery through both online and offline programs that utilize digital health principles. Continued development in this area is vital for effective health management across the lifespan, potentially mitigating age-related disease burden and improving individual quality of life.
Keyword : Digital HealthCare, Non-face-to-face Coaching, Mental Health, Brain Function: EEG, PPG, Cognitive function, Physical Function