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Effect of exercise on body composition and cholesterol in adult Nigerian females (640.11)
Author(s) -
Onimawo Ignatius,
Ekwe Cordelia
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.640.11
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , anthropometry , waist , skin fold , body fat percentage , obesity , cholesterol , physical therapy , body weight , waist–hip ratio , endocrinology , physiology
The emergence of obesity and overweight is becoming a problem of great concerns particularly among women knowing that non‐communicable diseases have been linked to these conditions. Objectives: The study was designed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on body composition and cholesterol. Methods: Subjects were selected on voluntary basis and only those who were either obese or overweight were selected. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ambrose Alli University Ethical Committee on human studies. There were three groups in the cross ‐sectional study namely the exercising group (Tc), twice exercising group (Tt) and non exercising groups (C). On the whole 21 (twenty one) participated in the Tc and Tt, while 46 (forty six) participated in the non‐exercising group (C). The three studies took place simultaneously and cover a period of 2 (two) months. The first study was on body composition and body cholesterol. Anthropometric method was employed alongside the measurement of skin fold thickness. Skin fold thickness was measured at triceps, biceps, sub scapular, abdominal and supraillac sites. Waist hip measurement, body weight and height were also measured. Results: Exercise during the period did not significantly reduce the body weight of the subjects but body fat decreased. When compared with the C group the Tc and Tt groups had reductions in LDL cholesterol due to the aerobic exercise they were involved in. The triglycerides levels were not reduced by exercise but rather showed significant increases (81.44+47.6mg/dl vs 97.52+92mg/dl for Tc and 98.38+43mg/dl for Tt). Also exercise contributed significantly to increase in HDL cholesterol particularly for the Tt group compared to C‐group (which is the control group). Conclusion: The results of this study reaffirm that regular exercise is beneficial to the reduction of LDL thus improve health.