[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a 24-week exercise
intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic syndrome markers, and
high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin among obese middle-aged women. [Subjects] The
subjects were 14 obese middle-aged women. [Methods] The exercise program involved walking
at 50–60% of the maximum oxygen consumption, 3 times a week, for 24 weeks. Body
composition analysis, blood pressure measurements, and blood analysis were performed
before the exercise program and at weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. [Results] The results showed
that after 24 weeks in the exercise program, the obesity indices and metabolic risk
factors, namely, weight, body fat, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood
pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides decreased significantly, whereas
HDLC, a metabolic improvement factor, increased significantly. Additionally,
VO2max increased significantly, together with the level of total and HMW
adiponectins. Correlation analysis of the changes in measured variables (∆ score) during
resulting from the 24-week exercise program showed that body fat had a significant
negative correlation and VO2max had a significant positive correlation with HMW
adiponectin. [Conclusion] Among obese middle-aged women, regular exercise increases
cardiorespiratory fitness and HMW adiponectin expression and therefore can be effective in
the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome.