Impact of a program of aerobic exercises on physiological variables and the shape and size of the fetus in pregnant female basketball players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of a program aerobic exercises on the shape and size of the fetus, and the percentage of the contribution of some of the studied physiological variables and their impact on the shape and size of the fetus among female basketball players. The researchers used the experimental method. The study population represented 10 pregnant married basketball players from the Al-Diwaniyah, Babil and Wasit Governorates. Their ages ranged from 25 to 26 years. The sample was randomly divided into two groups (experimental group = 5 members, control group = 5 members). The members of the experimental group received the training units of the program proposed by the researchers, while the members of the control group received the traditional training units. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences between the two tests (the pre- and post-test) for the proposed aerobic exercises, in favor of the post-test for the experimental group (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) of some studied physiological variables for the control group, but there were statistically significant differences between the responses of the research sample on a three-way estimate scale (less than normal, normal, above normal) (p < 0.05). There is a clear effect of the proposed aerobic exercises on the growth, shape, and size of the fetus in female basketball players.