Effect of aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness using chester treadmill walk test in physiotherapy students

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to study the effect of aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness in physiotherapy students. This was an analytical type of study in which the participants were tested both pre and post the intervention to carry out the results accordingly. Context and Purpose of the study: Physiotherapist as trainers of fitness are themselves expected to have a good amount of fitness. There are many studies done on evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness in physiotherapy students. There is limited literature to check the effect of aerobic training using Chester Treadmill Walk Test specifically on cardiorespiratory fitness in physiotherapy students. 25 Participants were selected by Convenient Sampling who were Physiotherapy students. The participants included were between age group of 18-25 years who were not able to complete the Chester Treadmill Walk test for 12 minutes. After which those who were included were given a 8 weeks treadmill training intervention and post the testing was conclusion was carried out accordingly. Results: The student paired “t” test value of heartrate prior to intervention was 33.81 and post intervention was 8.34 and the student paired “t” test value for systolic blood pressure was 2.16 and diastolic blood pressure was 2.22. The student paired “t” test value of VO2max was 4.03. Based on the readings of the “t” test values mentioned above, proves that there is significant increase in VO2max post the aerobic training intervention Conclusion: The result shows that there is a significant increase in VO2max which was calculated using the formula for Chester Treadmill Walk Test after the aerobic training intervention was given for 8 weeks based on the ACSM’s Guidelines. KEY WORDS: Chester Treadmill Walk Test, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Treadmill training, Physiotherapy students.