Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
African Journal of Biomedical Research, cilt.27, sa.4, ss.8730-8735, 2024 (Scopus)
ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 8-week regular swimming exercise program on cardiovascular functions andmetabolic health parameters in obese women.The research included 10 women aged 25–38 years who were diagnosed with obesity. Participants attended swimmingsessions three times a week, each lasting 60 minutes. The exercise program was structured to target 60–70% of theparticipants' maximum heart rate. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package. The normality of thedata distribution was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. After confirming normal datadistribution, paired samples t-tests were conducted to compare pre-test and post-test results of the participants. Allstatistical analyses were evaluated at a significance level of p < 0.05.The results showed that swimming exercises significantly reduced BMI and body fat percentage (p < 0.05) and increasedmuscle mass (p < 0.05). Significant reductions were observed in circumferential measurements (waist, hip, chest) (p <0.05). Regarding the lipid profile, significant decreases in triglyceride and LDL levels (p < 0.05) and increases in HDLlevels (p < 0.05) were recorded. Furthermore, reductions in resting heart rate (p < 0.05) and improvements in fasting bloodglucose levels (p < 0.05) supported the positive effects of swimming on cardiometabolic health.In conclusion, swimming exercises were found to provide multifaceted benefits for metabolic health and body compositionin obese women while reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. These findings suggest that swimming is an effectiveand sustainable strategy for obesity management. Future research could explore the effects of swimming on differentpopulations and compare its outcomes with other exercise modalities to further contribute to the literature.