The effect of six-week aerobic training program on cardiovascular fitness, body composition and mental health among female students.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of six-week aerobic training program including running and rope skipping on cardiovascular fitness, body mass index (BMI), and mental health among female students at the University of Isfahan, Iran.In this interventional study we included 30 female students in academic year 2011-12. The participants were randomly assigned in experimental group (n=15, mean±SD for age=26.06±1.18, weight (kg)=57.43±5.67, height (cm)=160.06±4.16) and control group (n=15, mean±SD for age=26.33±1.30, weight=57.66±5.08, height=161.86±3.29). Pre-test and post-test measurements include VO2 max with Queen Step test; BMI and General Health Questionnaire-28 as a measure of mental health were done. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the effects of aerobic training as intervention (P<0.05).There was statistically significance difference between experimental and control groups after adjustment for their own baseline values concerning cardiovascular fitness (P=0.004), BMI (P<0.001) and mental health indices (P<0.001).A six-week aerobic practice improves cardiovascular strength, mental health and BMI considerably and could be more encouraged at universities.