THE EFFECTS OF STEP-AEROBIC EXERCISES ON AEROBIC CAPACITY AND BODY COMPOSITION IN WOMEN AT DIFFERENT AGES

The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of step-aerobic exercise with a tempo which was determined according to ACSM equivalence adjustment, on cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max), and body composition characteristics of women at different age groups. A total of 24 participants took part in eight weeks (3 days a week) step-aerobic exercises. A total of 24 participants, 13 of whom were between the ages of 30-41 (Group 1), and 11 between the ages of 21-26 (Group 2), participated in the study continued for 8 weeks (3 days a week). The VO2max values which were used to determine the intensity of exercise tempo were measured by the Bruce test protocol, and were calculated by the metabolic equivalent proposed by ACSM for the step exercises. Effects of aerobic capacity changes on weight, body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (% fat) after exercise program were investigated. It was found that although the 8 weeks of step aerobic exercise program was effective on weight, BMI, and percent body fat for both age groups, this effect was not statistically significant in terms of exercise intensity and duration (p>0.05), and the exercise program led the statistically significant difference on VO2max values for group 2 (p<0.05