Modulations of 8-Week Aerobic Dance Exercise on Selected Anthropometric Indicators in Overweight and Obese Females
R. N. Ativie
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
A. A. Aigbiremolen
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
P. E. Ohwin
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
A. J. Okemuo
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
O. M. Odigie *
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
J. Agono
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
J. C. Igweh
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
One of the major problems of a quiescent or sedentary lifestyle is Obesity. Such lifestyle encourages and poses increased threat to the development of myriads of disabling medical conditions like muscle weakness, postural deficiencies, diabetes, compromised aerobic capacities, hypertension and coronary heart diseases. The goal of this study was to investigate in overweight and obese women, the effect of an 8-week aerobic dance exercise on selected anthropometric indicators including weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), Waist-Hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI). To approach this, a total of 61 participants (32 experimental and 39 control groups) with age ranging between 18 and 30 years were ethically recruited for the exercise. While experimental group underwent 8 weeks (4 times/week) of supervised aerobic dance session, control group never partook in any structured physical activity. Aerobic capacities [VO2max and HR] and body composition [Weight, WC, HC, WHR, percentage of body fat (BF) and muscle mass (MM)] of participants were measured at pre, mid and post interventions. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) returned a significant decrease (p < .05) for Weight, BF, WC, HC, WHR and BMI. A significant increase (p < .05) was however observed for MM in experimental group, proving to be insignificant in aerobic capacity and body composition indices of control group.
Keywords: Obesity, physical activity, hip circumference, waist circumference, muscle mass