Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

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Background: The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effects of six- week aerobic step training on cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, leg anaerobic power and quality of life of isfahan university female students in academic year 2012-2011. Methods: 31 female students of Isfahan university were randomly assigned in experimental group (N=16, mean Age 27±2 , Weight 58.34 ±6.27, Height 1.61±4) and control group (N=15, mean Age25 ±1 , Weight 54.7±7.32, Height 1.61±6).pre test and post test measurements included cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, leg anaerobic power and quality of life questionnaire(WHOQOL(. analysis of covariance( ANCOVA) was used to test to effects of aerobic training as intervention(P<0.05). Results: There was a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness (p=0.001) and there was a significant decrease in body composition (p=0.046). There was no significant increase in flexibility (p=0.109) and leg anaerobic power (p=0.180). there was a significant increase in total score of quality of life(p=0.00). Conclusion: a six- week aerobic step training improves quality of life and cardiovascular fitness and body composition of training group

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Introduction: Physical activity has been identified as a potential intervention to improve body composition in women with breast cancer. This research sought to investigate the effects of an eight-week aerobic training program on some anthropometric indices and cardiorespiratory fitness of middle-aged women with breast cancer.

Material and Methods: A total of 15 women with breast cancer (age: 40-60 years) were selected through convenience sampling. They attended an eight-week aerobic exercise program consisting of three 40-60-minute sessions per week. Exercise intensity was maintained at 30%-60% the subjects’ heart rate reserve (HRR). The participants’ weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), and maximum oxygen consumption were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of exercise. Data were analyzed by paired samples t-tests at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Significant reductions in the patients’ weight (P = 0.001), BMI (P = 0.001), WC (P = 0.006), HC (P = 0.001), WHR (P = 0.006), and PBF (P = 0.001) were observed after eight weeks of aerobic training. Moreover, exercise significantly increased the subjects’ maximum oxygen consumption (P = 0.008). However, changes in the participants’ waist to hip ratio were not significant (P = 0.235).

Conclusion: According to the obtained results, an eight-week aerobic training program could significantly improve some anthropometric indices and cardiorespiratory fitness in women with breast cancer.