EFFECT OF STEP AEROBICS ON PERCENT BODY FAT AND VISCERAL FAT OF OBESE FEMALE NURSES IN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL BAUCHI

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the effect of step aerobics on percentage body fat and visceral fat of obese female nurses in specialist hospital Bauchi, Bauchi State. To achieve this purpose, two (2) hypotheses were postulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was employed for the study. The population of the study comprised of sixty two (62) female nurses in Specialist Hospital Bauchi. A sample size of 20 obese female nurses was drawn from the population using purposive sampling technique. The participants were exposed to 12 weeks step aerobics, on 3 alternate days per week, the training programme lasted 30 minutes for the 1st -4th week, increased to 35 minutes 5th - 8th and 40 minutes in last four weeks at 45% - 60% of HRmax. Omron (BF511) body composition monitor was used to assess the pre and post-test percentage body fat, and visceral fat of the participants. The collected date was analysed using descriptive statistics of means, standard deviation and inferential statistics of student t-test. The result of this study revealed that: step aerobics had significant effect on percent body fat (p = 0.001) of obese female nurses in Specialist Hospital of Bauchi. However, step aerobics had no significant effect on visceral fat (p = 0.425) of obese female nurses in Specialist Hospital Bauchi. On the bases of the result of this study, it was concluded that step aerobics reducespercentage body fat of obese female nurses in Specialist Hospital Bauchi, Bauchi State but it has no significant effect on visceral fat of the obese nurses. Based on the following conclusions it was recommended that obese female nurses should be enlightened through public lectures by exercise and sport science specialist on the need to perform regular step aerobics to burn down excess body fat. Step aerobics should be encouraged among obese female nurses by exercise and sports science specialist as a mode of exercise for improving physical fitness so as to improve their health.