Effect of Circuit Training on the Cardiovascular Endurance and Quality of Life: Findings from an Apparently Healthy Female Adult Population

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a 6-week circuit training on the cardiovascular endurance and quality of life of an apparently healthy adult female population.

Methodology: This study adopted a pre and post-test experimental design. A total of 60 adult females who were randomly selected into experimental group and control group participated in the study. The variables for this study were obtained using a proforma which contained the anthropometric parameters, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, maximum oxygen consumption, partial oxygen saturation, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio. The stations of exercises used included jumping lunges, curtsy lunges, torso rotation, knee raise claps, abdominal twist or knee combo, kick raise. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and paired t-test. Continuous variables were reported in tables as mean± Standard deviation (SD).

Results: Findings from the study showed that there was a significant difference (P<.05) in partial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, mean atrial pressure, maximal oxygen consumed, and heart rate. No significant effect was found in the domains of the quality of life of the experimental group.

Conclusion: Circuit training has positive effects towards improvement of cardiovascular endurance and maintenance of functional quality of life (QOL). It is therefore necessary for circuit training to be encouraged as a strategy that can be used among young female adults.