Abstract
Background and Objectives: Although the plank exercise is difficult to perform for untrained people, it does not require money, special equipment, or much space. However, it is not known how plank exercises affect physical fitness and immunocyte function. This study analyzed the changes in physical fitness and immune cells of a middle-aged man after performing 4 weeks of elbow plank exercise. Materials and Methods: Elbow plank exercise was performed for approximately 20 min (resting time, around 10 min) a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The intensity was checked daily with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). When the participant reached an intensity of RPE 15, RPE 16, and RPE 17 of the RPE 20 scale, 1 min of rest was given before repeating the process. Results: Compared with the pre-values, (1) all the physical fitness factors (muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary fitness) were increased after 4 weeks; (2) body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and the basal metabolic rate were increased, whereas body fat mass and fat percentage were decreased; and (3) although the variables of complete blood count were changed positively, some were not. Specifically, CD3, CD8, and CD56 were increased, whereas CD4, CD4/CD8, and cytotoxicity were decreased. These results show that elbow plank exercise can improve all factors of physical fitness and improve some of the immunocyte functions of a middle-aged man. Conclusions: This study confirmed that, although the elbow plank exercise of vigorous intensity for 4 weeks improved physical fitness, it was not effective in improving some immunocyte functions. Therefore, the exercise intensity of plank exercises for improving immunocyte functions should be reconsidered.
Highlights
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that 35.4% of the nation’s population lacked physical activity (PA) [1]
The analyzed CBC subsets consisted of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), red cell distribution width (RDW), and platelet distribution width (PDW)
This study found that elbow plank exercise improved the body composition and increased the health-related physical fitness in a middle-aged man, leading to desirable changes in immunocyte function
Summary
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that 35.4% of the nation’s population lacked physical activity (PA) [1] This lack of PA is of increasing interest because it affects the high mortality rate [2]. Exercise is a helpful way to reduce body weight and can prevent obesity by maintaining and/or increasing the muscle mass and basal metabolic rate [4]. It can improve immune cell function [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Since it requires little time, space, and cost, many studies are being conducted on its efficacy [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
