Scheduled for Exercise Physiology and Fitness Posters, Thursday, April 11, 2002, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM, San Diego Convention Center: Exhibit Hall


How Do Walking and Jogging College Activity Courses Affect Body Composition?

Alison N. White, Jennifer Ahrens and Ame Rush, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects a walking activity course and a jogging activity course had on body composition. A total of 46 college students 17 to 35 years of age (M=21.37 years) were subjects for this study. The walking activity course consisted of six males and 20 females (n=26), and the jogging activity course consisted of 11 males and nine females (n=20). Both classes met for one hour, twice a week for a period of 16 weeks. Each participant underwent pre- and post-course body composition measures based upon The Cooper Institute (2000) protocol. Lange skinfold calipers were used to measure body composition at three sites. Women were evaluated based upon measurements at the triceps, suprailiac, and the thigh. Male measurements were recorded at the chest, abdomen, and thigh. The sum of the three sites was compared to the Cooper Percent Fat Estimates for the respective gender to determine the percentage of fat. At the end of the course, participants reported the average number of days per week they participated in physical activity while enrolled in their respective activity course. This information was needed for a truer representation of the results. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Repeated Measures design was used to analyze the data. A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and post-body composition measures for the two classes; F(1,45)=7.907, p=.008, p<.01. Students enrolled in the jogging class (M=17.75) had the greatest change in body composition measures when compared to the walking class (M=21.91). No statistical significance was found based upon the factors of class and gender combined; F(1,45)=.272, p=.605,p>.05. However, males did exhibit a statistically significant decrease in body composition for both classes; F(1,45)=13.866, p=.001, p<.01. A Pearson Correlation between exercise habits and post-body composition measures was computed. No significant relationship (r=-.066, p=.663, p>.05) was found between these two variables. Therefore, the results of the ANOVA could be attributed to the activity acquired during the course. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests that a minimum of three days per week is needed to decrease body composition. These findings suggest that changes in body composition can occur in fewer days per week just by doing an exercise of higher intensity. High percentages of body fat are a major factor for heart disease in males. By becoming active in either walking or jogging, males can significantly control this factor.
Keyword(s): college level issues, exercise/fitness, physical activity

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