THE EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON BODY WEIGHT CHANGES BASAL METABOLIC INDEX AND SOME CARDIOVASCULAR FACTORS IN MALE AND FEMALE CALABAR RESIDENTS

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of aerobic exercise on body weight changes, Basal metabolic index (BMI) and some cardiovascular factors, in males and females. A total of 50 subjects, 27 males and 23 females participated in the aerobic exercise. The participants were involved in warm-up before the aerobic exercise started which involved stretches, for about 15 minutes. After which some activities like using the jump ropes were introduced using of dumb bells for squats and use of other equipment for 30 minutes, then the participants were involved in slight stretches warm-down for about 10 to 15 minutes, with the total of 60 minutes per sessions were done for 8 weeks. After the aerobic exercise, the blood pressure and heart rate of all the participants were taken using a digital sphygmomanometer for 8 weeks. Height was also taken using a stadiometer. The initial measurement of the weight of all the participants were taken at the start of the experiment and then once every week for 8 weeks using a digital weighing scale. There was no significant change in heart rate or blood pressure for the males and the females. Their weight, height, basal metabolic rate, heart rate and blood pressure were taken for the period of 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks of the aerobic exercise, the result showed that there was no significant difference in body weight change for the initial and final weight after the aerobic exercise. However, the mean weight was significantly (p