The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Basal Metabolism and Physical Fitness in Sedentary Women

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate effect of aerobic dance exercises on cardiorespiratory endurance of college women. To achieve the purpose of the study 30 women were selected from affiliated colleges of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. The subjects will be randomly assigned to two equal groups (n=15). Group-I Aerobic Dance Exercises (ADE) and Group-II was act as a control group (CG). The respective training was given to the experimental group for 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) the period of twelve weeks. The control group was not be given any sort of training except their routine. The selected parameter was cardiorespiratory endurance (9 Min Run & Walk in meters). The data collected from the subjects was statistically analyzed with 't' ratio to find out significant improvement at 0.05 level of confidence. The result of this study cardiorespiratory endurance improved significantly due to effect of Aerobic Dance Exercises. Due to the influence of Aerobic Dance Exercises significantly improved cardiorespiratory endurance of college women. Introduction Both the term and the specific exercise method were developed by Kenneth Cooper (1968), an exercise physiologist, and Col. Pauline Potts, a physical therapist, both in the United States Air Force. Dr. Cooper (1968) is an avowed exercise enthusiast, was personally and professionally puzzled about why some people with excellent muscular strength were still prone to poor performance in tasks such as long-distance running, swimming, and bicycling. He began measuring systematic human performance using a bicycle ergometer, and began measuring sustained performance in terms of a person's ability to use oxygen. His groundbreaking book, Aerobics, was published in 1968, and included scientific exercise programs using running, walking, swimming and bicycling. The book came at a fortuitous historical moment, when increasing weakness and inactivity in the general population was causing a perceived need for increased exercise. It became a bestseller. Cooper's data provided the scientific baseline for almost all modern aerobics programmes, most of which are based on oxygen-consumption equivalency. Aerobic exercise refers to exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body. Aerobic means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process. Many types of exercise are aerobic, and by definition are performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time. To obtain the best results, an aerobic exercise session involves a warming up period, followed by at least 20 minutes of moderate to intense exercise involving large muscle groups, and a cooling down period at the end. Aerobic refers to a variety of activities like walking, jogging and running for a measured time. These produce beneficial changes in the body, especially the action of the lungs, heart and blood circulation. Aerobic training is a type of exercise that improves the cardiovascular system, strengthens the heart, and improves the body's ability to deliver oxygen to the muscles. The activities suitable for aerobic training include rapid walking, running, swimming, bicycling, rowing and skiing. Aerobic exercise is any physical activity that requires the heart rate to reach at least 60% of the maximal heart rate for an extended period of time. It is the activity that can be sustained for an extended period of time without developing an oxygen deficit. Aerobic exercises are basically physical exercises that intend to improve the oxygen system.