The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of training intensity on abdominal fatness reduction and improvements of metabolic risk factors in Korean women (N=45, aged 45.4±7.3 yrs). Subjects were randomly assigned to control (CON, N=15) or low-intensity exercise (LIEX, N=15) or high-intensity exercise (HIEX, N=15). The LIEX and HIEX groups participated in a 12-wk exercise intervention at intensities of 40-50% and 70-75% of VO (2)max, respectively. Outcome assessments performed at baseline and at the end of 12-wk period included abdominal adipose tissues, VO (2)max, blood lipids, fasting glucose and insulin, and LPL- and HSL-mRNAs in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Unlike the CON group, women in the exercise groups had significant improvements in VO (2)max (+11%, P<0.001), SAT (-12%, P=0.026), TG (-23%, P=0.002), HDLC (+7.2%, P=0.013), insulin (-23%, P=0.037), and HOMA-IR (-25%, P=0.015) relative to baseline values. Changes in baseline CRF were in a dose-dependent manner based in intensity (-1.2±1.7, 2.1±2.8, and 4.7±3.2 ml/kg/min for CON, LIEX, and HIEX, respectively, P<0.001). We found no evidence that LIEX- and HIEX differ in their effects on abdominal adiposity, risk factors, and LPL- and HSL-mRNA expressions in SAT. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that low- and high-intensity exercise are equally effective in reducing abdominal adiposity and in improving risk factors.
