Circuit Training Improves the Levels of β-Amyloid and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Related to Cognitive Impairment Risk Factors in Obese Elderly Korean Women.

: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of circuit training on β-amyloid, BDNF, and cognitive function in untrained obese elderly Korean women. : The subjects for the study were aged 65-70 years and were each assigned to a circuit training group (EG, = 12) or a control group (CG, = 11). The 60 min combined exercise was performed 3 times per week for 16 weeks. The exercise intensity was progressively increased from a 40% heart rate reserve to a 70% heart rate reserve. The test data were analyzed using a paired -test, an independent -test, and a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, and an alpha level of 0.05 was set for all tests of significance. : Group-by-time interaction effects were observed for β-amyloid ( < 0.05), brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( < 0.01), and cognitive function ( < 0.05). Within the exercise group, significant differences were found in β-amyloid ( < 0.05), brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( < 0.001), and cognitive function ( < 0.05) when comparing across different time points. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between groups in post-exercise β-amyloid ( < 0.05), change in β-amyloid ( < 0.05), brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( < 0.01), and cognitive function ( < 0.05). : Therefore, it is suggested that the circuit training used in this study could be an effective exercise method for improving the risk factors of cognitive impairment in obese elderly Korean women.