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CONTENTS

Ⅰ. Introduction

Ⅱ. Research Methods    2
   1. Subject of Research       
   2. Items and tools of Measurement    
   3. Methods of measurement
   4. Exercise Program  
   5. Statistic Disposition     

Ⅲ. Research Results    5
   1. Body Size 
   2. Body Composition  

Ⅳ. Discussion  8
   1. Body Size 
   2. Body Composition  

Ⅴ. Conclusion and Suggestion   11
   1. Body Size 
   2. Body Composition

Related Reading Materials       

List of Tables
...Table 1. The physical characteristics of subjects       
...Table 2. Test items and measurement tools       
...Table 3. Misie training program for 8 weeks     
...Table 4. The comparison of physique     
...Table 5. The comparison of body composition     

List of Figure
...Fig. 1. Misie Product   

Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION

‘Set a Goal for a Healthy Body Mass’ This is the first guideline from the most recent publication of ADHHS’s (Americans Department of Health and Human Services) Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Heyward, 2002).

Obesity is not only known as a major health threat but also a cause for disease like diabetes, high blood pressure, a fat of blood level, and many others. In the recent years, the obese population has rapidly increased in advanced nations as well as in developing nations. According to the  National Nutrition Survey, the occurrence rate of diseases in the obese with more than  25kg/m2 BMI(Body Mass Index) rated 20.5% in 1995, increased to 26.3% in 1998, and pressing onto 30% recently. Other various survey data also reports an increase in the occurrence rate of obese-related diseases, which suggests at the necessity to treat obesity not only as a beauty issue but more so as a threat to the national health, not only in Korea but in other countries as well. The recent increase of GNP, development of industry, and westernization of lifestyle has led to excessive nutrition intake and lack of exercise, which in turn instigated obesity. Obesity occurring in various age groups has presented itself as a serious uprising problem in the society because of its contribution in the cause of many geriatric diseases as well as a its appeal as a beauty dilemma. (C.I. Lee, 2002; Y.S. Yun, 2001).

Based on a person’s fat %, men with +20% and women with +30% are considered overweight or obese. These fat are usually stored under the tissue and around the intestines (Rexrode etc, 1997); and for cure of such obesity, dieting and exercising methods are used. Especially in middle age women, the body fat distribution is concentrated around upper body, such as stomach, back, etc., thus rapidly forming a pot belly, an abdominal obesity; it has been reported that this contributes to a decrease of estrogen as well as of other factors. (Fukunaga etc, 1993).

In regards to the recent increase of obesity in women, the Korea Obesity Association claims the 11.68% obesity rate of women in 1995 will increase to 26.52% in 1998, and 32.24% in 2000; and predicts a peak of 35-40% in the next 5 years (J.H. Kang & N.S. Kim, 2002). Obesity sometimes occurs during infancy; most that occur in the 40’s, however, contribute to the cause of Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, and the Ovarium Cancer (Y.S. Yun, 2001).

 Dieting and exercising methods have been emphasized as a cure and prevention for obesity because the unbalanced energy input and output ratio serves as the biggest factors leading to causing obesity. As a result, methods of changing lifestyles, such as dieting and exercising methods have become standard cure for obesity. Many other methods have also been introduced such as medicament, liposuction, and aromatherapy (Y.S. Yun, 2001). Of the various exercises, regular respiratory exercises have proven efficient, because such exercises lead to detailed of cholesterol density within the blood and other related positive alterations, as a prevention to obesity as well as decreasing the risk of coronary artery disease (K.J. Kim & W.K. Chun, 1999). Despite many people’s expectations that exercising will cure obesity, they need to question the efficiency of such methods in the low calorie usage of the regular exercises, difficulties of exercising as an obesity patients, not used to regular or vigorous exercise-only which will burn the large amount of calories that they wish to burn-, and the possibility of injuries during exercising (Garrow, 1992). Through many researches, it can be claimed that in cases where obesity have been cured only through exercising, there was some weight loss; however the efficiency was not great, and thus it is highly recommended that dieting methods be used along side with exercising methods (Andersen et al. 1999).

 Exercising is recommended as the cure for obesity not only because calorie usage may help lose weight but also because of the various setoffs calorie usage may have on different parts of the body (PerNjOrntorp, 2001). Thus, the effects exercising as a cure to obesity cannot beyond the simple calorie usage; the regular energy usage helps accomplish and maintain a healthy body composition (S.W. Oh, 2002), promotion of fast metabolism, and maintaining weight loss (Kayman etc, 1990), have an overall positive effect on one’s healthiness and is thus recommended. Especially in middle age women who are full-time housewives, their lack of free time due to the mass amount daily housework and their inability to attend exercising or dieting programs thus, for the cure of obesity has contributed to the growing numbers. Also even if they participated in an exercising program, because of the possible danger vigorous activities may have on their limbs, especially middle age body, their reluctance becomes even greater. Thus, this research was conducted recognizing the housewives’s conditions, both environmental and physical, and the need for a more efficient home-style weight loss method rather than a vigorous dieting program, that demands neither excessive extra time or effort.  

The Misie that was used for this research is belt-like device of 6-7kg, which helps reduce appetite and lose weight through weight stimulation around the abdominal area through naturally breathing with the device placed on one’s stomach. Although there are no preceding researches on the effects of Misie, which use the concept of abdominal weight-lifting exercises, it goes similar to exercise of abdomen through the muscle resistance.

Human muscle formations decrease as their increases. The degree of the deterioration, however, varies with each individual; especially for people who practice appropriate nutrition intake and regular resistance exercises, the changes are minor. The decrease of muscle formation in women due to age increase is thus an outcome brought by unhealthy lifestyle, diet, and exercising habits rather than a natural inevitability. Moritani and deVries(1980), research on women’s muscular strength increase and ratios in women who participated in resistance exercises, show that there was an over 20% increase in muscular strength other researches have also proven that resistance exercise bring noticeable increase in muscular strength in women (K.W. Kim & Y.C. Yu 1998).

 In conclusion, it has been assumed that through regular practice of mass-stimulated abdominal exercise, women may acquire similar results to that of weight training without much difficulty and through activating the energy metabolism process, a muscular improvement as well as fat metabolism activation may be expected. Although there have been no preceding researches on weight loss or natural appetite loss by stimulating abdominal muscles, it is hoped that through this research of constructive weight-loss program, the effects of this abdominal mass-stimulation exerciser and the reason for the changes in middle age women’s size and body composition be investigated.

Ⅱ. Research Methods

1. Subject of Research
For this research, 60 volunteer women inhabiting in B city, between the ages of 35-45, either with 25% or more, with a .85, or more WHR participated in this research. Except for the exceptional few with specific circumstances, the 53 remaining volunteers were split up into 3 different groups to test Misie at three different weights: Groups A (15 people) with 6 Kg, Group B (13 people) with 6.5 Kg, and Group C (13 people) with 7Kg.

 These participants, who had not previously participated in a weigh-loss program, are presently healthy and in good condition. Their physical characteristics are as shown below in <Table 1>.

 2. Areas and tools of Measurement
For body size, height, weight, waist, hip, and WHR (%) were measured; and for body composition, fat%(%), BMI, and body fat(kg) were measured. The tools used are as listed below in <Table 2>

3. Methods of measurement
1) Body Size
For height(cm) and weight (kg), an automatic height and weight measurer (Fanics HM-200, Korea) was used and the results rounded up to the nearest tenth. For waist and hip measurements, a measuring tape (Sanhwa, Korea), was used and the results likewise rounded to the nearest tenth; the WHR was calculated through a formula using the waist and hip measurements.

2) Body Composition
Body Composition Analyzer, a product of Biospace, using multi-frequency biolelectricity impedance analytical concept caused by electrical resistance, was used to measure %fat (%), lean body mass (kg), and body fat(kg). In Body 2.0 has the functions to analyze the dispersion of body liquid, number of body cells, edema diagnosis etc., high degree of body composition through the multi-frequency 8-point Tactile Electrode System. Once the subject has stepped up on the impedance measuring device, hands holding the electrode and feet placed on the electrode, the device will make the measurement within only 2 minutes by measuring the electricity resistance from right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg, by pressing the start button and activating the micro processor.

4. Exercise Program     
1) Exercising methods and tools.
Using group exercised with ‘Misie’ in a lying-down position for 50 minutes by regularly breathing, stretching both before and after the exercise; comparison group continued to participate in their everday routine. The Misie that was used for this research is belt-like device of 6-7kg, which through naturally breathing with the device placed on one’s stomach stimulates the abdominal area with the weight. Misie composes of nickel special magnet, magnetic weight, stone-like massage heating petal, pressure dispersion petal, germanium semiconductor
(Fig. 1)

(Fig. 1. Misie Product)

2) Intensity of exercises and standards for determining Misie’s weight
The 3 trial preparation research to determine the appropriate weight of Misie was conducted with 45 senior students in a public high school of B city. The participants were divided into three groups 15 according to their BMI, 23～26, 27～32, 32(kg/㎡). Through all 3 trials, starting with 5.0kg and adding extra 1 kg the consecutive 2 trials, none of groups felt pains or uncomfortable lying with the 6.0kg and 7.0kg mass on their stomach for 50 minutes. Thus, the research ended with the conclusion that 6.0~7.0kg of weight a safe measurement; and taking account the different effects of different weights, it was decided to have 3 different weights of 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 kg.

3) Length, frequency, and period of exercise
The duration of each exercise session consisted of 5 minutes of warming up, 50 minutes of Misie exercise, and 5 minutes of cooling down. The regular sessions were held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3days/week; they were also assigned to exercise Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 3 days/week at home, for altogether 8 weeks of duration. Although the regular sessions were clearly regulated and checked up on, the assigned exercises were not regulated but left free for the exercisers to decide on. The 8 weeks of exercise programs are as listed in
<Table 3>

5. Statistic Disposition  
For data interpretation, the average and standard deviations for the measurements were calculated using SPSS ver 10.0. Group average for before and after the experiment was compared using one-way ANOVA, comparisons within the group were calculated using paired t-test, and Schffe was used verification of the results. Significant number was set to α=.05 

Ⅲ. Research Results 

1. Body Size
The changes that occurred in body size, such as height, weight, waist, hip, and WHR are as listed in <Table 4>.

1) height(cm)
In comparing the height data taken before and after the experiment, there were no noticeable changes in all group A～D.

2) weight(kg)
In comparing the weight data taken before and after the experiment, group A showed a decrease of 0.53kg, however insignificant, group B of 3.36kg and group C of 2.62kg’s significant decrease in mass (p<.001, p<.05). Group D, however, showed a significant increase of 2.47kg (p<.001). There had been no distinctions between the groups prior to the experiments in weight difference; after the experiment, however, there were distinct changes (p<.05) between the groups. After identifying the results, group D had a larger average than A?B?C, and group A?C had larger average than group B.

3) Waist(㎝)
Comparing the waist measurements before and after the experiment, groups A, B, and C showed a significant decrease of 1.88cm, 4.09cm, 4.53cm each (p<.01, p<.001); group D, however, showed an increase of 1.62cm (p<.05). In the group comparison, there were no significant differences before the experiment; after the experiment, there were significant differences between the groups (p<.01), group D was higher than A?B?C, and group A?C was higher than B.

4) Hip(㎝)
Comparing the hip measurement before and after the experiment, group A?B?C showed a significant decrease of 1.23cm, 3.26cm, 2.81cm each(p<.01, p<.001), but group D showed an increase of 1.75cm ( p<.001). In the group comparison, there were no significant differences before the experiment; after the experiment, there were significant differences between the groups (p<.01), group D was higher than A?B?C, and group A?C was higher than B.

5) WHR(%)
In comparing the before and after results of WHR, group A decreased by 0.01%, group B and C showed a significant decrease of 0.05%, 0.03% (p<.01, p<.001), but group D showed a significant increase of 0.02%(p<.05). In the group comparison, there were no significant differences before the experiment; after the experiment, there were significant differences between the groups (p<.01), group D was higher than A?B?C, and group A?C was higher than B

2. Body Composition
The changes in body composition’s %fat, fat, and LBM are as listed in <Table 5>.

1) %fat(%)
In the comparison of %fat before and after group A?B?C showed a significant (p<.01) decrease of  1.06%, 1.95%, 3.14% each, but group D showed a significant (p<.01) increase of 3.00%. In the group comparison, there were no significant differences before the experiment; after the experiment, there were significant differences between the groups (p<.01), group D was higher than A?B?C, and group A?B was higher than C.

2) fat(kg)
In the comparison of %fat before and after group A?B?C showed a significant (p<.01, p<.001) decrease of  0.91kg, 2.89kg, 2.20kg each, but group D showed an increase of 1.15kg, however, nothing significant. In the group comparison, there were no significant differences before the experiment; after the experiment, there were significant differences between the groups (p<.01), group D was higher than A?B?C, and group A?C was higher than B.

3) LBM(kg)
In the comparison of %fat before and after group A?B?C showed a significant (p<.05, p<.01) increase of  0.50kg, 1.24kg, 1.19kg의 each, but group D showed an decrease of 0.47kg, however, nothing significant. There were no noticeable differences in the group comparison either.

Ⅳ. Discussion  

 Whether one is an athelete or a middle age housewife, the necessity or the urge to lose weight for healthier weight maintenance resides in them. Despite the statistic of 38～40% of women who attempt dieting, the high failing percentage has made dieting a serious social issue (Serdula etc, 1993; Horm & Anderson, 1993). The decrease of muscle mass and increase of fat in middle age women have negative effects on the human’s overall natural functions. It also shows clear relations with the cause of deterioration of natural functions, related to aging, such as decrease in metabolism, decrease in oxygen usability, increase of blood glucose density, fat in the blood stream, and increase of cholesterol density, high blood pressure and decrease in marrow density (K.Kim & Y.C. Yoo, 1998). With such knowledge, the necessity of weight-care is emphasized more for its health-related reasons than for beauty. Middle age women may exercise by walking, running, hiking, mechanic exercise, free gymnastics, aerobic, and swimming (J.S. Park, 1999). Most of these exercises, however, may be limited by the availability of time, space, or facilities; and it is often hard to pick the right type of exercise for a specific body shape or age. An exercising program appropriate for that age group with appropriate intensity and frequency is thus needed (K.S. Hyun, 2001).

 This research was conducted to study the effectiveness of Misie, which may serve to be the solution to the physically and environmentally limiting reality of today’s middle age women and in hopes to find a weight-loss programs that does not require excessive time or financial usage.

1. Body Size 

 No changes in the body size resulted from the experiment but a significant decrease in weight and WHR in all except for group A, and a consensually significant decrease in waist and hip size occurred in all three groups.

 Change in weights occur later in the exercise, and becomes the overall characteristic of body development depending on the lifestyle, especially nutritional intake. Weight is a mass composed of bones, muscle, fat, blood, and organs; and it can be distinguished between lean body massfat mass.

 Measuring the WHR, hip and waist size is an efficient method to measuring fat mass dispersion or abdomen obesity (Ducimetier, Richard & Cambien, 1989; Bjorntorp, 1988; NHLBI, 1998). The methods of measuring WHR is simple, however, difficult to research because the exact location of measurement is not standardized, and does not accurately measure internal and subcutaneous fat. In most cases, when a woman’s waist size exceeds 88cm(>35in), the danger of high-blood pressure, cardiac disorder, and diabetes increase. The danger of such disease in people with low BMI but with an abdominal obesity are also greater than those with similar BMI but a smaller waist size.

 Although the precise mechanism in internal abdominal fat that lead to high a fat of blood level, glucose, and insulin, Reaven’s(1994) theory about internal fat, which states that it increases the destructibility of Catecholamine(Epinephirine & Nor-epinephirine) more than subcutaneous fat and it can easily cause blood to release free fatty acids, danger of excessive abdominal fat may be assumed.

 The Misie that was used for this research is belt-like device of 6-7kg, which helps reduce appetite and lose weight through mass stimulation around the abdominal area through naturally breathing with the device placed on one’s stomach. This method of 50mins/ session for 6 sessions/week weight exercise was derived from natural abdominal respiration; abdominal respiration is a type of diaphragmatic breathing and has similar effects of hypogastric breathing because of the diaphragm’s tight contraction. (S.J. Yoo & M.S. Song, 2001). The positive results that have outcome from this research in regards to body size, such as weight, waist and hip size, and WHR is similar to that of Y.S. Yoon(2001), an abdominal respiration program done for management of abdominal obesity of middle age women, which also resulted in significant decrease in weight, waist, and hip size. Also comparing 2,600～3,400g of weight loss that group B and C experienced over the course of 8 weeks to the encouraged maximum grams of weight loss per week in a diet program conducted without a doctor is approximately 500～900g, suggests the safe weight-loss that Misie program provides. Comparing the WHR data, the decrease from 0.89, a level indicating obesity, to 0.84～0.85 in group B and C prove the effects of the Misie program; however, seeing how there were no difference in group A, exercising with a 6.0Kg weight, it must have not been a critical weight burden on the decrease of WHR. It is also assumed that the weight-pressure of Misie stimulated the abdominal muscles to have brought on the effects of resistance exercise, the positive effects of which are widely known today (O`Hagan, 1995; Faigenbaum, 2000; Pollock & Evans, 1999; Layne & Nelson, 1999; McCartney, 1998; S.G. Park et al., 2001; K.J. Kim & W.K. Chun, 1999; K.O. Lee et al., 2001).

 There were significant differences in the group comparison. Comparison group (group D)’s results were higher than group A (6.0kg), group C(7.0kg), and group B(6.5kg). Group A and C’s results were higher than that of group B; this seems to have resulted from the effective weight-burden of 6.5 Kg compared to the lighter (6.0 kg) and the heavier (7.0Kg). Thus, a mass of 6.5-7.0kg seems appropriate for the weight of Misie.

2. Body Composition     

 Body composition is an effective way to measure one’s healthiness, such as an excessively high or low total body fat level indicating potential health-risks. Although the multiple of methods used for measuring body composition have its strengths and weaknesses, they all serve as a prognosis to diseases and suggest a healthy standard and exercises that will help achieve that standard.

 %fat, fat, and LBM were the three categories of measurement for this research, and in all 3 categories, all groups A, B, and C showed positive results after the program. The significant decrease in %fat and fat and increase in LBM is assumed that the resistance exercise together with abdominal respiration improved cumulatively to Misie program’s weight-loss effects. The positive effects that resistance exercise has on middle age women’s %fat, fat, and LBM have been proven through S.L. Jung and B.R. Kim’s (2003) study of middle age women with more than 30% fat %, which after 12 weeks of resistance and composite exercises, there was a reduction in fat %. Eriksson et al.(1999) said that the fat % decreased after 12 weeks in a muscle resistance training done to a group of middle age obese(II) diabetes patients; Y.C. Kwon et al.(2002) reported a decrease in fat % and increase in LBM after conducting a muscle resistance training on a group of middle age obese women (age 40-45) with more than 30% fat %. J.H. Park et al.’s (2000) resistance training on 8 middle age women also resulted in an increase of LBM, and Kraemer’s(1998) resistance exercise augments testosterone, growth hormones, which in turn increase the protein composition, muscle development, and lean body fat; Vivian (2002) also reports that resistance exercise is effect in decreasing fat % and amount of lean body fat in both men and women. Other reports such as C.I. Lee (2002), S.G. Park et al (2001), and K.J. Kim & W.K. Chun (1999) also report the positive effects resistance exercise has on fat % and fat decrease. Although the abdominal weight Misie does not require as intense or variety of muscle usage as weight training, a representative resistance exercise, a persistent exercise of 50 minutes/day over a course of 8 weeks of exercise with a 6kg weight seem to have a tremendous impact on the abdominal decreasing fat % and fat and increasing LBM.

 In most cases, weight-loss programs objective is to maintain or increase the ratio of LBM or muscle formation and in turn improve health by decreasing fat %. Thus if LBM increases or sustains during weight-loss, regular metabolism rate is also increased and fat metabolism becomes activated. For women’s most typical obesity, gynoid shape abdominal obesity (Heyward, 2002), which puts pressure on the joints and lead to a varix bone arthritis, Misie program should avoid vigorous physical activity but take an alternative approach of limiting energy intake.

 Misie program has also proven to show similar effects of fat % reduction due to respiratory exercises because its consistent weight burden on the abdomen helps the respiratory system by increasing the inhaling and exhaling quantity, and the ventilation ability and oxygen usability. K.S. Hyun’s (2001) on middle-age obese women who practiced abdominal respiration over the course of 12 weeks, which showed a decrease in fat %, also affirm to the similar effects of abdominal respiration that have resulted from this research. And although not statiscally included in this research, common responses to the program gathered through one-on-one interview were “I no longer had difficulties with constipation; my appetite decrease; my body has become lighter; my abdominal strength has fortified,” in that specific order. Seeing how appetite decrease and cure of constipation were the most common subjective outcome, these factors have also contributed to the subject’s decrease of fat and fat %.

In the group comparison, there was no significant difference in LBM; however, a significant difference in fat % and fat. Group D (Comparison group) had a higher fat % than group A of 6.0kg, group C of 7.0kg, and of 6.5kg than group B. Group A and B had a higher fat % than group C. Group D (Comparison group) also had a larger amount of fat than groups A,B, and C; group A and C had more fat than group B. Such results proved outstanding in the loss of fat %, with group B’s weight, 6.5kg, yield the most effective results; this showed that the higher the  weight-pressure, the more effective was the fat loss. Although the mechanism to decrease in fat % and fat in the areas of measurement is hard to verify due to lack of precedent researches, the effects of abdominal exercise, Misie program seem are clearly varified.

 Misie is considered as one of the many dieting machines marketed today; most of these fad diets, however, are based on temporary success, fame, and marketing trickery. Obesity patients are prone to being tricked into these fad diets for their strong desire to find a product that requires minimal effort on their part. They promote their products by hiring famous people, in attempt to provide credibility; such claims made by these dieting products are illegitimate, unproven by science or biochemistry (Manore & Thompon, 2000).

 The claims of fast fat and weight loss made by these fad-diet advertisements are far from the effects of Misie; their claims of weight-loss without any or little physical exercise have neither the credibility nor evidence of proof.

 Misie does not have the quick or vast change that fad-dieting machines or substances; its effects are long-term, however, making it possible for an effective weight-control, and lay the basis for furthermore exercise programs for a healthy body composition. Acknowledging its appropriate conditions for middle age women, without putting an excessive pressure on the body, yet economical, it seems that based on body weight’s long-haul concept (Williams, 2002), a desirable weight loss through exercise will be accomplishable.

Ⅴ. Conclusion and Suggestion   

 Based on the Misie program that was conducted on 53 women between the age of 35-45, 60 mins/day for 6 weeks (3times at home) for a total of 8 weeks- group A testing with Misie of 6.0kg (N=15) group B with 6.5kg(N=13), group C with 7.0kg(N=13), and group D with (N=12) as the Comparison group -conclusions on the after effects based on results from the experiment are as below.

1. Body Size    

1) Body Size/Body Mass
No changes in body size occurred within or between the groups; however, both groups B and C showed a positive decrease of body mass. Between the groups, group B experienced more loss than group A, C, and D and group A and C than group

2) Waist/Hip Size
Groups A, B, and C all experienced positive decrease in hip and waist size. Between the groups, group B experienced more decrease in size than group A, C, and D and group A and C more than Group D.

3) WHR
Groups B and C showed positive WHR decrease. Group B, however, experienced a larger decrease than group A,C, and D and group A and C more than Group D.

2. Body Composition

1) %fat
Groups A, B, and C all experienced positive decrease of fat % after the exercise program. Group C, however, experienced a larger decrease than Group A, B, and D and group A and B more than Group D.

2) fat
Groups A, B, and C all showed positive fat loss after the exercise program. Between the groups, Group B showed more loss than group A, C, and D; and Group A and C more than Group D.

3) LBM
Groups A, B, and C all showed positive increase of LBM but there were no differences between the different groups.

 Based on the results and conclusions above, the exercise product Misie showed a positive primary approach to cure of obesity in middle age housewives who are unable to participate in regualar exercise programs. It is also a pertinent program to creating a healthy body size and appropriate body mass. A secondary experiment of the program over an extended period of 12 weeks will surely bring a much more positive result