THE EFFECTS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON AEROBIC CAPACITY AND BODY COMPOSITION IN ADOLESCENT FEMALES

1590 The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aerobic exercise training program (10 weeks) on aerobic capacity and body composition in adolescent females. Thirty-nine adolescent female subjects (16 ± .25 years) were randomly assigned to a two-day a week aerobic training group (TWO) (N=12) a three-day a week aerobic training group (TDW) (N=12), or a control group (CON) (N=15). Pre- and post-test parameters included the assessment of: weight, sum of skinfolds, one mile run time, percent body fat, and BMI. Both training groups were involved in an aerobic dance program twenty minutes in duration at 65-80% of age predicted maximal heart rate (APMHR). Statistical analysis revealed that TDW was significantly different (p≤0.008) for sum of skinfolds and percent body fat. A main effect for time, whereby all subjects' mile time declined from pre- to post-test, was also demonstrated. Within the confines of the study this data may suggest that: 1) the training regime for either treatment group (TWO vs. TDW) was not enough to elicit aerobic benefits, but may have maintained aerobic fitness, and 2) to elicit body composition benefits, adolescent females should be involved in a minimum of a three day a week training program twenty minutes in duration and an exercise intensity of 65-80% APMHR.