Investigation of the Effects of 8-Week Step-Aerobic Exercises on Some Kinanthropometric Characteristics in Sedentary Women / Sedanter Kadınlarda 8 Haftalık Step-Aerobik Egzersizlerinin Bazı Kinantropometrik Özellikler Üzerindeki Etkilerinin Araştırılması
Keywords:
Sedantary, women, step-aerobics, kinanthropometry, body compositionAbstract
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study aims to investigate the effects of an 8-week step-aerobic exercise program on selected kinanthropometric characteristics in sedentary women.
Material and Method: The sample consisted of 15 volunteer female students from the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University. The intervention included two 60-minute sessions per week, conducted over eight weeks. Measurements taken before and after the intervention included height, weight, resting heart rate, biceps, chest, waist, hip, thigh, and calf circumferences, skinfold thickness, and somatotype components (endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 29.0 software, with the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test applied due to the small sample size (n<30).
Results: The findings revealed significant decreases (p < .01) in body weight, BMI, and resting heart rate, indicating improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic responses. Reductions in waist, hip, and thigh circumferences were also statistically significant (p < .01), suggesting positive changes in body composition and fat distribution. Significant reductions in skinfold thickness, particularly in the triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac regions, further support these findings. Additionally, somatotype analysis showed a significant shift in the endomorphy and ectomorphy components, while mesomorphy remained unchanged. These results align with previous studies highlighting the effectiveness of step-aerobics in enhancing physical health and body composition in sedentary female populations. The rhythmic and enjoyable nature of step-aerobic exercises may enhance adherence and motivation among participants, making it a suitable alternative to traditional forms of exercise..
Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a structured, music-based step-aerobic program of moderate intensity can significantly improve anthropometric parameters and body composition in sedentary young women. The findings suggest that step-aerobic exercise can serve as an effective, accessible, and enjoyable physical activity strategy for improving health outcomes in inactive female populations.
Keywords: Body Composition, Kinanthropometry, Sedentary, Step-Aerobics, Women.
ÖZET
Amaç: Bu çalışma, 8 haftalık step-aerobik egzersiz programının sedanter kadınlarda bazı kinantropometrik özellikler üzerindeki etkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Materyal ve Metod: Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi’nden gönüllü 15 kadın öğrenci katılmıştır. Uygulama, sekiz hafta, haftada iki kez 60 dakikalık seanslar şeklinde uygulanmıştır. Müdahale öncesi ve sonrası ölçümler; boy, kilo, dinlenik kalp atım hızı, biseps, göğüs, bel, kalça, uyluk ve baldır çevresi, deri kıvrım kalınlığı ve somatotip bileşenlerini (endomorfi, mezomorfi, ektomorfi) içermektedir. İstatistiksel analizler SPSS 29.0 programında, örneklem sayısı 30’dan küçük olduğu için Wilcoxon işaretli sıralar testiyle yapılmıştır.
Bulgular: Vücut ağırlığı, beden kütle indeksi ve dinlenik kalp atım hızında anlamlı düşüşler (p < .01) görülmüştür. Bu durum, kardiyovasküler ve metabolik iyileşmeleri işaret etmektedir. Ayrıca bel, kalça ve uyluk çevresindeki düşüşler de istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur (p < .01); bu da vücut kompozisyonunda ve yağ dağılımında olumlu değişimleri göstermektedir. Triseps, subskapular ve suprailiak bölgelerdeki deri kıvrım kalınlıklarında kaydedilen anlamlı azalmalar bu bulguları desteklemektedir. Somatotip analizinde ise endomorfi ve ektomorfi bileşenlerinde anlamlı değişiklikler gözlenirken, mezomorfi sabit kalmıştır.
Sonuç: Müzik eşliğinde uygulanan, orta şiddetteki step-aerobik programının sedanter genç kadınlarda antropometrik parametreleri ve vücut kompozisyonunu olumlu yönde etkilediği görülmüştür. Bu çalışma, step-aerobik egzersizlerin sağlığı geliştirmeye yönelik etkili, erişilebilir ve eğlenceli bir yöntem olabileceğini göstermektedir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Kadın, Kinantropometri, Sedanter, Step-Aerobik, Vücut Kompozisyonu.
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