The effect of 12-week step and floor aerobic exercise programs on physical and psychophysiological health parameters in obese men

Abstract

Aerobic exercise training is recommended to prevent and control obesity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a twelve-week step aerobics or floor aerobics exercise program in improving the physical and psychophysiological health of obese men. Sixty male adults of mean age 18.92 (SD 1.54 years) and Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 were randomly allocated into three equal (n = 20) groups: Step Aerobics Exercise Training (SAET), Floor Aerobic Exercise Training (FAET), and a control group (which did not perform any exercise). The SAET and FAET training protocols were performed three days per week for 12 weeks. Health-related physical fitness, biochemical, physiological, and psychological variables were used as outcome measures and measured at baseline and at 12 weeks. There were significant differences in terms of physical and psychophysiological health parameters in participants who underwent SAET and FAET training compared with the control group (p < 0.05). SAET and FAET proved to be helpful in managing the physical and psychological health of obese adults. Schools and colleges should administer aerobic exercise sessions to adults for better health perspectives.