The Effect Frequency of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Nutritional Status and Fitness of Female

Abstract

Obesity is one risk of degenerative diseases that usually increase in years and is the leading cause of death in the world. Obesity can be prevented with regular physical activities, one of them is physical activity with moderate intensity aerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the frequency of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on nutritional status and fitness of female university students. This study used a quasi experimental design with sample of 21 students who were divided into three groups of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention for eight weeks. The first group with a frequency of two times a week, the second group with a frequency of three times a week, and third group with frequency four times a week. Primary data collected include: anthropometry (BMI), subcutaneous fat (triceps, abdomen and thigh), body composition (lean body mass, soft body mass, total body water, body fat mass and body mass percent of fat), serum lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides), fitness (speed, strength, flexibility and endurance), consumptions (energy and protein). The results of statistical tests showed that the difference in frequency (one-way ANOVA) were significant different in vertical jump and protein intake (P <0.05), while the anthropometry, subcutaneous fat, body composition and serum lipid profiles were not significant (P>0.05).