Meta-analysis on the effect of combined exercise program intervention on Korean middle-aged women.

The purpose of this study is to present a basis of application of an exercise program through a systematic analysis of the effect of combined exercise program for middle-aged women using meta-analysis. It appears that the overall effect size (0.606) of the combined exercise program was positive for improving physical strength and physiological function. The physiologically related variables showed an effect size which is equal to or greater than a middle level. This may be an objective basis to prove that the combined exercise program is an effective intervention method to overcome loss of functions and weakened functions by improving physical strength and preventing reduction of hormones. The combined exercise program was found to be most effective when it was conducted two times a week; for over 1 hr and 30 min to 2 hr; and at intensity of 40% or more for an 8-week period. As the combined exercise program showed an effect of a middle level or higher for all the middle-aged women in their age of 40 to 65, it appeared that this exercise program is very effective for middle-aged women. The results of this study suggest that the combined exercise program for middle-aged women is a very effective intervention method. This study can reduce inefficiencies of overly redundant studies regarding an effect of an exercise program, and can be grounds for the basic work for the integrated classification of the physiological variables.