Identification of Informative Physical Condition Indicators for Self-Training Exercise Programs Design for Middle-Aged Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify informative anthropometric and functional indicators for design- ing self-training exercise programs for middle-aged obese women. The study involved 105 women with an average age of 38.9 and was conducted at the Scientific Research Institute of NUPESU. The physical fitness profile of the middle-aged overweight and obese women was assessed by use of factor analysis. The dom- inant factor was the anthropometric status (42.1% of the total variance) and included 14 indicators. The second factor (21.2% of the total variance) included ten indicators characterising functional state of the cardiorespiratory system. The third and fourth factors (18.1% of the total variance) included eight indica- tors characterising physical fitness and coordination abilities. Five indicators were selected based on the factor analysis: waist circumference, abdominal circumference, waist to hip circumference ratio, adaptation potential, and VO 2 max. Correlation analysis performed to verify the informative value of the selected mark- ers showed that the waist circumference significantly correlated with 28 studied indicators; the abdominal circumference correlated with 29 indicators; the waist to hip circumference ratio correlated with 24 indica- tors of physical condition; the adaptation potential correlated with 24 indicators; and VO 2 max significantly correlated with 18 indicators. Informative markers selected based on the factor and correlation analyses can be used for designing and assessing the effectiveness of physical exercise programs for middle-aged overweight and obese women.