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The effects of a 12-week group exercise programme on physiological and psychological variables and function in
S Grant1, K Todd, T C Aitchison
1Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, West Medical Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. s.grant@biomed.gla.ac.uk
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week functional exercise programme on overweight women.
Methods:
Twenty-six subjects (n=13 exercisers, n=13 controls) aged (mean+/-SD) 63 (+/-4) years completed the study. The exercise sessions were carried out twice each week for 12 weeks. The variables measured were body mass, body mass index, skin-fold thickness, resting blood pressure, total blood cholesterol, chair rise, timed 'up and go' test, 20-m walk,lifting a 1- and a 2-kg bag on to a shelf, stair walking, 'sit and reach' flexibility test, Life Satisfaction Index and Physical Self-perception Profile for Older Adults. The exercise sessions consisted of 40-min sessions during which the subjects performed aerobic and strength exercises.
Results:
Paired analyses showed that body mass, body mass index, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic values), 'up and go' time, time to complete a 20-m walk, time to lift a 1- and a 2-kg bag with both the right and left arms onto a shelf, and stair climbing-total time and ascent time-decreased significantly in the exercise group. Also, the exercise group improved their Life Satisfaction Index score significantly compared with the control group.
Conclusions:
The results indicate that a functional exercise programme has the potential to improve performance in a number of physiological variables and functional activities in overweight women. The exercise programme enhanced life satisfaction.
