EFFECT OF AN 8-WEEK STEP AEROBIC PROGRAMME ON BODY MASS INDEX AND FLEXIBILITY OF OVERWEIGHT FEMALE STUDENTS IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords:
step aerobics, body composition, flexibility, overweight, female students, BMI, secondary schoolAbstract
The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents has become a global health concern, often leading to reduced physical fitness and flexibility. This study assessed the effect of an eight-week step aerobic programme on the body composition and flexibility of overweight female students in Zaria, Nigeria. A pre-test, post-test experimental research design was adopted, involving a purposive sample size of 18 overweight female students from Vital Years College, Grace Land, Zaria housing a population of 102 female students. The intervention consisted of step aerobic sessions held three times weekly on alternate days, following a progressive overload principle with intensities ranging from 50% to 80% of maximum heart rate. Data collection utilized a stadiometer and digital weight scale for Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation and a sit-and-reach box to measure flexibility. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, mean difference and the student t-test for dependent samples at a 0.05 alpha level of significance. Results indicated significant P<0.05 improvements in all the physiological adaptations following the intervention. Specifically, the programme had a significant p<0.01 effect on reducing BMI and a significant p<0.01 improvement in participants’ flexibility. Consequently, the null hypotheses stating that there is no significant effect of an eight-week step aerobic programme on the body composition and flexibility of overweight female students in Zaria were rejected. The study concludes that structured step aerobics is an effective school-based intervention for managing overweight status and improving body flexibility for physical performance among female students.References
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