Effects of Aerobics Dance Exercise on Selected Anthropometric Variables of Female Overweight University Students

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of aerobics dance exercises on selected anthropometric variables of overweight female students  at Dilla University. The study employed a true experimental design, involving 60 female students aged 18-24. The study subjects were  randomly divided into two equal groups, the experimental (n = 30) and the control groups (n = 30). The experimental group had taken  aerobics dance training for 10 weeks with 3 sessions per week, each lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Pre- and post-test data were collected on  weight, BMI, arm girth, waist circumference, hip circumference, and thigh girth before and after ten weeks from 6:00–8:00 AM. ANOVA  was utilized to analyze the data. Following the intervention, the posttest mean weight was observed to be decreased in trainees from the experimental group (59.003±4.0476) compared to those from the control groups (62.603±4.3325) with a significance level of p<0.05. The  mean BMI was found to be reduced in the experimental group (24.7103±.98802) than in control groups (25.6333±.71297), although this  was statistically significant (p<0.05). Similarly, the mean arm girth was decreased for the experimental group (29.97±2.619) compared to  the control groups (32.80±1.901), and was significant difference noted (p<0.05). The mean waist circumference was reduced and  (80.17±5.414), for the experimental and (87.27±5.212), for the control groups, with significant differences between the groups (p<0.05). As  for the hip circumference, the mean values showed differences between the experimental (99.00±4.267) and the control (100.13±2.933) groups on the post-test result and significant at (p<0.05) and the mean thigh girth was (56.30±2.718) for the experimental  and (54.53±2.837) for the control groups and it was significant (p<0.05). The findings indicate that aerobics dance training had a positive  impact on the anthropometrical variables of young university female students. This emphasizes the importance of developing aerobics dance training programs to improve various anthropometric variables. These outcomes are mainly pertinent for obese women seeking to  reduce their body weight through training strategies.