Effects of 12 Weeks of Combined Exercise Training on Body Composition and Exercise Electrocardiography in Middle-Aged Obese Men

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 12 weeks of combined endurance and resistance exercise on body composition, QRS voltage, QRS duration, and ST segment height in middle-aged obese men. This study aims to determine whether the intervention can simultaneously improve both obesity and cardiac pathological conditions. Additionally, it provides fundamental data to support future health management strategies for obese individuals.<br/> Method: The study involved 18 middle-aged obese men who were randomly assigned to either a training group (TR) or a control group (CON). Body composition and exercise stress electrocardiogram (ECG) data were collected both before and after the 12-week intervention. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS version 28.0 for Windows.<br/> Results: The results are as follows: 1) The TR group showed significant reductions in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. 2) In the CON group, QRS voltage significantly increased at 3, 6, and 9 minutes post-exercise recovery. 3) No significant changes in QRS duration were observed in either group. 4) The ST segment height in the CON group significantly decreased at the highest level during exercise.<br/> Conclusion: In conclusion, the 12-week combined exercise program significantly improved body composition in middle-aged obese men. However, no significant changes were observed in QRS voltage, QRS duration, and ST segment height in the TR group. These results indicate a need for further research to examine ECG changes during exercise in this population, focusing on optimizing exercise intensity to enhance potential cardiac benefits.