ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF STEP AEROBICS ON BODY FAT PERCENT OF OVERWEIGHT FEMALE ADOLESCENTS IN GINDIRI, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of step aerobics on body fat percent of overweight female adolescents in Gindiri, Plateau state,
Nigeria. One group repeated measure experimental research design was used. Sixteen (16) overweight female adolescents who
were between 14 and16 years volunteered to participate in the study. The participants were subjected to 8-week step aerobics
exercise performed three times a week on alternate days. The training intensity was maintained at between 45% and 50% of
heart rate reserve (HRR) and 50% to 55% HRR at the first 4 week and 5th – 8th week respectively. The Borg’s rate of perceived
exertion (RPE) scale was used to monitor the rate of exertion throughout the training period. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
(BIA) method was used to assess body fat percent of the participants. Body fat percent of the participants was measured at
baseline, immediately after the 4th week and 8th week respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic
data of the participants. Repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test hypothesis at 0.05 level of
significance using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The result of the study revealed significant
decrease in body fat percent due to 8-week step aerobics training (p - 0.000) at an alpha level of 0.05. It was concluded that
moderate intensity step aerobics performed at 45% -55% HRR three times a week on alternate days for a period of 8 weeks
had significant effect on body fat percent of overweight female adolescents in Gindiri, Plateau State, Nigeria. It was
recommended that overweight female adolescents should participate regularly in step aerobics to manage body fat percent to
achieve optimal health.