The Influence of Participation in an Aerobic Conditioning Class in College-Aged Students
Location
CSU 255
Start Date
27-4-2009 1:00 PM
End Date
27-4-2009 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Human Performance
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Mary Visser
Mentor's Department
Human Performance
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Description
The college years are highly influential in shaping adult behavior, especially diet and physical activity. Many college students may not have another opportunity to be educated about the benefits of participation in regular exercise, which is especially important due to the alarming increase in obesity. Currently, 35% of college students are overweight or obese (Mestek et al., 2008). Over 600 students are enrolled in aerobic fitness courses at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) each semester. We determined whether the participation in these classes actually impacts the fitness levels of students who attend regularly. Participants were selected in January 2009 from an aerobic conditioning course if they had a sedentary lifestyle, expressed willingness to attend class regularly and exercised only during class time (N=15-25). Each performed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) within one week of the start of class and then again at the end of the six week experimental period. Oxygen consumption was measured directly during each test. Student attendance and class participation was monitored carefully. Pre- and post-training VOamax, height, weight, resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and body mass index were compared to determine whether participation influenced these factors. These results provided valuable information on the short-term physiological impact of a standard format, aerobic fitness class such as is offered at most universities.
The Influence of Participation in an Aerobic Conditioning Class in College-Aged Students
CSU 255
The college years are highly influential in shaping adult behavior, especially diet and physical activity. Many college students may not have another opportunity to be educated about the benefits of participation in regular exercise, which is especially important due to the alarming increase in obesity. Currently, 35% of college students are overweight or obese (Mestek et al., 2008). Over 600 students are enrolled in aerobic fitness courses at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) each semester. We determined whether the participation in these classes actually impacts the fitness levels of students who attend regularly. Participants were selected in January 2009 from an aerobic conditioning course if they had a sedentary lifestyle, expressed willingness to attend class regularly and exercised only during class time (N=15-25). Each performed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) within one week of the start of class and then again at the end of the six week experimental period. Oxygen consumption was measured directly during each test. Student attendance and class participation was monitored carefully. Pre- and post-training VOamax, height, weight, resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and body mass index were compared to determine whether participation influenced these factors. These results provided valuable information on the short-term physiological impact of a standard format, aerobic fitness class such as is offered at most universities.
Recommended Citation
Kruger, BreAnna and Amanda Trost. "The Influence of Participation in an Aerobic Conditioning Class in College-Aged Students." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 27, 2009.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2009/oral-session-08/9
