소위영1, 전태원1, 서동일1, 장혁기1, 최대혁2, 서한교1, 엄우섭3, 박성태1, 이호준1, 박수경1, 김준홍1, 송 욱1

서울대학교 건강운동생리학 실험실1, 서강대학교2, 서울교육대학교3

Background Considering the prejudice and discrimination against obese people in our societies, it is not surprising that most obese people strive to lose weight to improve their psychological status. It is well known that physical activity leads to weight loss and improves psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and fatigue without adverse effects. However, whether exercise
which does not induce weight reduction has a psychological benefit remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate if low intensity band exercise without weight reduction has a positive effect on psychological conditions.
Methods Obese middle-aged women who engaged in no regular exercise were randomly assigned into two groups, an exercise group and a control group. They participated in elastic band exercises twice/wk for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-exercise body composition, self-esteem, depression and health-related quality of life (SF-36) were measured.
Results After 12 weeks of band exercise, there were no significant differences in weight (F=0.014, p=0.907), BMI (F=0.002, p=0.919) and body fat(%) (F=2.336, p=0.138). However, FFM (F=6.399, p=0.017), self-esteem (F=40.688, p<0.001) and depression (F=7.336. P=0.011) were significantly improved after exercise. The results of the health-related quality of life (SF-36) showed no significant group differences on physical function (F=1.190, p=0.275), mental health (F=1.125, p=0.298), social function (F=1.923, p=0.116), general health (F=0.812, p=0.375) and physical pain (F=0.481, p=0.490) while showed significant group differences on fatigue (F=4.618, p=0.040), control of emotion (F=4.000, p=0.046) and restriction of physical function (F=14.421, p=0.001).
Conclusions This study demonstrated that a 12-week band exercise program has positive effects on self-esteem, depressed mood and
health-related quality of life (SF-36), regardless of weight reduction.
(Korean J Health Promot Dis Prev 2009 ; 9(2):161-167)

Keywords: obese middle-aged women, band exercise, self-esteem, depression, 36-item short form health survey (SF-36)