Effect of an aerobic-based physical activity programme on physical fitness of 10-15 year-old girls
Date
2009Author
Pienaar, Anita
Kemp, Chanelle
Pienaar, Anita
Kemp, Chanelle
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Decreasing tendencies of physical activity among adolescent girls are indicated as contributing to
increased health risks in this age group. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 10
week aerobic-based exercise programme performed twice a week, with a 30 minutes duration and
an intensity level of 55 – 70% heart rate max would improve aerobic endurance, muscular
strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition of 10 – 15 year-old girls living in
a farming community. The study involved girls (N=38) from two schools, living on nearby
farms in the North West Province. Twenty subjects (n=20) participated in the aerobic-based
programme, while eighteen (n=18) served as a control group. The FITNESSGRAMM assessed
physical fitness while ACTICAL activity monitors were used to analyse the physical activity
intensity level of the group. Co-variance analysis (p < 0.05) showed significant group
differences, indicating improvement in aerobic endurance, muscular strength and muscular
endurance and improved tone as measured by the triceps skinfold after participating in the
aerobic-based exercise programme. It is concluded that an aerobic-based exercise programme,
conducted in a playful and enjoyable manner and according to guidelines set for health
enhancement, can improve aerobic endurance, leading to increased physical activity among girls in their teenage years.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10394/3332https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpherd/article/view/50012
https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC19611
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences [2385]