The effect of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training on some of cardiovascular endurance and body composition characteristics of male high school students in Kashan

Many studies show that there is close relationship between health and cardiovascular endurance indices so that regular exercises can improve these indices. The main purpose of this research was to examine the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise training on physiological parameters as cardiovascular endurance and body composition of high school boy students aged 15 to 18 in Kashan during 2012-2011. This stud considered as a quasi-empirical research including high school student boys in Kashan. Thirty students out of 120 were selected randomly and further divided into two equal groups including the experimental group (mean age 1.30±17.46 yr., weight 9.91±56.73 kg, height 4.92±168.73 cm, BMI 3.42±19.88 kg/m2) and the control group (mean age 1.18±17.53 yr., weight 11.96±60.06 kg, height 7.84±169.66 cm, BMI 3.51±20.79 kg/m2) respectively. Variables including maximum oxygen consumption, resting heart rate and body composition were measured. The exercise program included eight-weeks of aerobic exercise, three times per week, performed at 60 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate. During the protocol, the control group had no sport activity. For statistical analysis, the Kolmogrov-Smirinov normality test along with covariance analysis and Leven tests were used. The result showed that aerobic exercise significantly improved cardiovascular endurance (increased maximum oxygen consumption, p=0.001, decreased the resting heart rate (p=0.0001), but had no significant effect on body composition (p=0.86(, body fat percent (p=0.16) and ideal body fat (p=0.31). No significant difference was observed in the control group (p≥ 0.05). Eight weeks of aerobic exercise up to %70-%60 of maximal heart rate improved cardiovascular endurance indices. Moreover, no significant changes in the body fat of the participants were observed and this may be due to normal body composition. More research on fatty people are necessary for better understanding of the issue.