Effects of 16-week circuit training on physical fitness parameters, pulmonary function, and quality of life in healthy women
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Circuit training (CT) is an important type of training that can combine different types of exercises in a single form of training. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 16-week CT on physical fitness parameters, pulmonary function, and quality of life in healthy women. METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy women (median age: 37.00 [31.50/39.50] years) were included in the study. CT was applied to the participants for a total of 16 weeks. Participants' body composition with the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis System, knee fiexor and extensor muscle strength with the Biodex System-4 Pro, fiexibility with the sit-and-reach test, pulmonary function with a spirometer device, and quality of life with Short Form-36 were assessed. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the participants' pretest and posttest median and interquartile range values of waist-hip ratio, body mass index, right/left knee fiexor/extensor mean peak torque (60 degrees/s,180 degrees/s), right hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio (60 degrees/s), fiexibility, and SF-36 Mental Health Score (P<0.050). There was no significant difference between the participants' pretest and posttest median and interquartile range values of total body fat, fat percentage, right H/Q ratio (180 degrees/s), left H/Q ratio (60 degrees/s,180 degrees/s), pulmonary function, and Short Form-36 Physical Function Score (P>0.050). CONCLUSIONS: CT decreased waist-hip ratio and body mass index, increased knee fiexor/extensor strength and fiexibility, and improved mental health. The 16-week CT may be an alternative approach to improve physical fitness parameters and mental health without any positive effects on body fat and pulmonary functions in healthy women.