Effects of circuit exercise training on body image, cardiorespiratory indices, and body composition of obese undergraduates in a Nigerian University

Introduction Obesity is a disease that adversely affects quality of life, mortality and morbidity and it is associated with a sedentary lifestyle. This study evaluated the effect of circuit-exercise training on the cardiorespiratory indices, body image, and body composition in obese undergraduate students. Methods Ninety obese undergraduates (69 females and 21 Males) were assigned to either a circuit-exercise training group/study or a non-exercise/control group. The exercise program comprised of 40 minutes of circuit-training (resistance and aerobic) sessions, performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Participants rotated between stations with 20 seconds rest in between; as well as warm up and cool down periods. Moderate exercise-intensity was performed at 50%–70% of the age-predicted heart rate reserve. Pre (baseline) and post (at 6 weeks) values of cardiovascular parameters, body image, and body composition parameters were evaluated. Demographic data were summarized with descriptive statistics while significant differences within and between groups were determined using paired and independent sample t-tests, respectively. Statistical significance was accepted for all tests at a value of p < 0.05. Results Findings from the results showed no significant difference in the mean body image, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio between the groups (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed between the groups (p < 0.05) in the mean aerobic capacity, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, percentage body fat, and muscle mass. Conclusions A 6-week circuit training had a favorable but not significant effect on body image. Aerobic capacity, cardiovascular parameters, and some body composition parameters had significant changes.