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Aging is associated with declines in memory function and significant change in gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated how exercise affects age-related memory decline and inflammation, and gut microbi-ota diversity. Bl6 mice were divided into control, control and exercise, old, and old and exercise groups. Treadmill exercise was performed once a day, 5 days a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Short-term memo-ry was assessed using step-through test and spatial learning memory was assessed using Morris water maze task. Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay was performed for the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, in the hippocampus. West-ern blot analysis was conducted for the neurotrophic factors, brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), in the hippocampus. In addition, fecal samples were collected for sequencing and metagenomic analysis. Old rats showed decline in short-term mem-ory and spatial learning memory. Increment of TNF-α and IL-6 concen-tration with decrement of BDNF and TrkB expression were observed in the old rats. Decreased diversity of gut microbiota composition and de-creased beneficial gut microbiota were found in the old rats. However, treadmill exercise improved short-term memory, decreased TNF-α and IL-6 concentration, and increased BDNF and TrkB expression in the old rats. Treadmill exercise also increased the diversity of gut microbiota composition and affected the increase of beneficial gut microbiota in the old rats. In conclusion, treadmill exercise reduced age-related in-flammatory markers and effectively improved memory decline while enhancing the diversity and abundance of beneficial gut microbiota.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of weight- and non–weight-bearing exercises on the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, corticospinal axon regrowth and regeneration- related proteins following spinal cord injury (SCI). Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (n=6), SCI+sedentary group (SED, n=6), SCI+treadmill exercise group (TREAD, n=6), and SCI+swimming exercise group (SWIM, n=6). All rats in the SCI group were given the rest for 2 weeks after SCI, and then they were allowed to engage in low-intensity exercise for 6 weeks on treadmill device. Motor function (BBB score) was improved more in the SWIM group compared to the SED group at 3 and 6 weeks after SCI. The SWIM group also showed higher levels of axonal outgrowth in cor-ticospinal tract and increased expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, a marker of axonal regeneration in the dorsal horn of the caudal region, compared to the TREAD group. Additionally, the SWIM group significantly upregulated the expression of regenera-tion-related proteins. Our findings suggest that non–weight-bearing ex-ercise may be one of several rehabilitation methods for improving loco-motor function and corticospinal axon regeneration after SCI.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music tempo on heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), lactate levels, and aerobic capacity during walking exercise in male college students. Ten male college stu-dents randomly participated in three experiments using various music tempos on a treadmill device to prevent data contamination between measurements by allowing a 2-week interval. Walking exercise was performed at a moderate intensity of 60%–70% maximum HR for 30 min, with participants divided into three groups based on music tempo: ex-ercise group with fast tempo music (ExF, 120–160 bpm), exercise group with slow tempo music (ExS, 60–70 bpm), and exercise group without music (Ex). The study was designed using a randomized crossover method. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed group-by-time interactions, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare differences between groups. Post hoc analysis was per-formed using Tukey honestly significant difference. As a result, the ExF group had higher HR, ventilation, metabolic equivalent, and oxygen up-take during treadmill exercise than the ExS or Ex group. But there was no significant interaction of HR and HRV during recovery according to music tempo. HRV was significantly higher in the ExF group during ex-ercise when compared to other groups. Blood lactate concentration was significantly decreased in the ExS group. These findings provide new information that music tempo type applied during treadmill exer-cise might have a positive effect on the maximum oxygen intake and lactate accumulation in the recovery phase.

To examine the changes in obesity-related hormones and metabolic syndrome markers in male high school students with obesity following a weekend-focused moderate- or high-intensity exercise program at the recommended weekly physical activity level, or a program of regu-lar exercise 3 times a week at moderate intensity, over a 10-week peri-od. Forty-eight male high school students who were obese with a body fat percentage of ≥25% were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a regular moderate-intensity exercise group (n=17) that freely selected and performed moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance training exercises, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for a total of 150–300 min/wk; a weekend-focused moderate-intensity exercise group (n=15) that freely selected and performed aerobic and resis-tance training exercises every Saturday for 150–300 min; and a week-end-focused high-intensity exercise group (n=16) that freely selected and performed aerobic and resistance training exercises every Sunday for 75–150 min. Insulin and leptin levels significantly decreased in all the groups, with the greatest reduction in the regular exercise group. Ab-dominal circumference and triglyceride levels significantly decreased in all the groups. Fasting glucose decreased only in the regular exercise group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly increased in both the regular and weekend-focused moderate-intensity exercise groups. No significant differences in adiponectin levels, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed between the groups. A weekend-focused exercise program has health effects similar to those of regular exercise, highlighting the importance of meeting the recom-mended weekly physical activity levels.

Although educational attainment and physical activity tend to determine cognitive function among older adults, studies have shown inconsistent results. This study aimed to examine how physical activity and educa-tional attainment relate to the cognitive function of older adults. Educa-tional attainment was determined based on the total number of years of education received from formal educational institutions. All participants were classified as active or sedentary according to the Stanford Brief Activity Survey. Thereon, the participants were divided into four groups based on educational attainment and physical activity levels: the low education-sedentary (LESG; n=29, 74.06±5.39 years), low education- active (LEAG; n=34, 73.97±4.74 years), high education-sedentary (HESG; n=26, 74.34±5.17 years), and high education-active groups (HEAG; n=26, 74.11±4.53 years). Four domains of cognitive function were as-sessed using the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery: atten-tion, visuospatial function, memory, and frontal/executive function. Lin-ear regression analyses were performed to investigate differences in cognitive function between the four groups, setting the low education- sedentary group as the reference. Among the domain of cognitive func-tion, attention differed significantly in the LESG from that in the HESG and HEAG. Educational attainment and physical activity levels influence cognitive function. A greater number of early-life educational experi-ences and regular physical activity in old age enhanced the cognitive function of older adults.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a foam roller-based com-bined exercise program on functional fitness, balance ability, and gait in women aged 65 years and older. Using a 2×2 mixed design, the study compared variables measured before and after a 6-week foam roller- based combined exercise program. A total of 32 old women were ran-domly assigned to either the foam roller-based exercise group or the control group. The intervention was conducted 3 times a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 60 min. The senior fitness test, gait test, Fullerton advanced balance test, and Y-balance test were per-formed at baseline and postintervention. Participants in the combined exercise group demonstrated significant improvements in upper and lower-body strength, lower extremity flexibility, agility, walking speed, stability, and balance ability. These findings confirm that a foam roller- based combined exercise program incorporating stretching, strength training, and aerobic components is effective in enhancing functional fitness, balance, and gait in older women. The inclusion of props such as foam rollers may help facilitate proper exercise form and activate di-verse muscle groups, thereby augmenting the overall efficacy of exer-cise interventions.

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit abnormal movements due to atypical pelvic movements and weakness of trunk muscles. We investigated the effects of abdominal muscle strengthening and pelvic control exercises on trunk control, abdominal muscle thickness change rate, and pelvic movement in children with unilateral CP. Fourteen chil-dren with unilateral CP were randomly divided into two groups, and ab-dominal muscle strengthening and pelvic control exercises were ap-plied to the experimental group, and general physical therapy was ap-plied to the control group, 30 min per session, twice a week, for a total of 8 weeks, respectively. The trunk control measurement scale (TCMS) was used to measure trunk control, ultrasonography was used to mea-sure abdominal muscle thickness change rate, and a wearable gait analysis system was used to measure pelvic movement. As a result, in the experimental group, TCMS showed a significant increase within the group, and the rotation range of the pelvis significantly decreased with-in the group on the affected and nonaffected sides. There was a signifi-cant difference between the groups in the abdominal muscle thickness change rate of the internal oblique on the affected side. Improving trunk control through abdominal strengthening and pelvic control exercises affected the deep muscles on the affected side and contributed to a re-duction in excessive pelvic rotation range. Therefore, abdominal mus-cle strengthening and pelvic control exercises may be suggested as in-tervention methods to improve function in unilateral CP.