EFFECTS OF SIX MONTH AEROBIC TRAINING ON SELECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES OF MODERATELY ACTIVE FEMALE NIDDM

 Dr. Sandip Sankar Ghosh and Dr. Gopa Saha Roy

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of six month aerobic training on selected physiological and anthropometrical variables of moderately active Indian female NIDDM. Twenty four (N=24) moderately active female NIDDM (Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) aged from 45 to 55 years, were volunteered as subjects for this study. The selected variables considered for the study were Body weight (kg.), Resting Heart Rate (bit/min), Systolic blood pressure (mmHg), Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), VO₂max(ml.kg^-1min^-1), Physical Efficiency Index i.e. PEI, Body Mass Index i.e. BMI (kg.m^-2), Body fat % , Lean Body Mass (kg) and Fat Mass (kg). Cardiorespiratory fitness and Physical Efficiency Index was measured by the Queen’s College Step Test and Harvard Step Test respectively. Blood Pressure was measured using standard auscultatory methods and percent body fat was measured by skinfold technique. Aerobic exercises were intervened consisting of Run & walk and Calisthenics for the period of six months (25 weeks). The baseline and post treatment means of respective components were compared by using t-test. Statistical significance was tested either at p<0.05 levels or at p<0.01 level of confidence. Result of the study showed that, except Lean Body Mass, aerobic training had significant effect on the maximum aerobic capacity, PEI, RHR, blood pressures (Systolic & Diastolic), body weight, BMI, % body fat, and Fat Mass of the moderately active women with NIDDM. Supervised aerobic exercise training have positive effects on the maximum aerobic capacity, cardiorespiratory endurance, RHR, blood pressures (Systolic & Diastolic), body weight, BMI, % body fat, and Fat Mass of the moderately active women with Non Insulin dependent diabetes Mellitus.

Keywords: NIDDM, VO₂Max, PEI, RHR, Aerobic Training, BMI and Harvard Step Test