Effects of a Mobile-Health Exercise Intervention on Body Composition, Vascular Function, and Autonomic Nervous System Function in Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: The present study verified the effect of an m-health exercise intervention using a 12-week exercise program on body composition, vascular function, and the ANS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty obese adult women participants were randomized (n = 15 each) into the experimental (EXP) group, those who performed mobile-health (m-health) exercises using a wearable device (Charge 4, Fitbit, USA) and AI-fit web page, or the control (CON) group, those who continued their daily activities as before. Muscle function, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility were assessed during the exercise program using the AI-fit web page and wearable device. The EXP group participated in exercise interventions using the m-health system for 12 weeks, while the CON group was encouraged to maintain their normal daily routines. Body composition, vascular function, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant decreases were noted in fat mass (Post - Pre: −1.47 kg; p < 0.001) and percent body fat (Post - Pre: −2.11%; p < 0.05). Flow-mediated dilatation (Post - Pre: 2.63%; p < 0.001) was significantly increased, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (Post - Pre: −91.49 cm·sec(−1); p < 0.01) was significantly decreased. RMSSD (Post - Pre: 10.43 ms; p < 0.01), NN50 (Post-Pre: 24.04; p < 0.05), pNN50 (Post - Pre: 7.70%; p < 0.05) and HF (Post-Pre: 179.60 ms(2); p < 0.05) increased significantly. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, m-health exercise interventions using AI fit and wearable devices are effective in preventing obesity and improving vascular function, and ANS.