Enhancing selective functional fitness among sedentary college students through functional loop resistance band training
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v74.117024Keywords:
Aerobic exercise, Back Scratch Test, Functional loop resistance training, Physical fitness, Stretching exerciseAbstract
Background: Sedentary college students require functional fitness. Functional fitness refers to the capacity to carry out activities of daily living independently and efficiently, including muscular strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance and balance. Physical exercise is a key factor in preserving and improving functional fitness.
Materials and Methods: The present controlled pre-post pilot study involved a cohort of 43 allied health sciences students attending an allied health sciences college in Puducherry, India. Participants were allocated randomly into two individual groups: group A (n = 22), which was exposed to a comprehensive program comprising functional loop resistance band strengthening exercise, aerobic exercise, and stretching exercises and group B (n = 21), which was subjected to training in stretching and aerobic exercise alone. Each group received three sessions per week for six weeks. Functional fitness abilities were measured through the Sit-to-Stand Test (SST), Sit-and-Reach Test (SRT), and Back Scratch Test (BST) with baseline and post-intervention measurements.
Results: Statistical analysis was carried out using paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and unpaired t-tests for between-group comparisons. Group A demonstrated significantly greater improvements than group B, p < 0.001, suggesting that including functional loop resistance band training led to superior outcomes.
Conclusion: The study indicates that incorporating functional loop resistance band strength training alongside aerobic exercises and stretching significantly enhances physical fitness levels in sedentary college students, outperforming the effects of traditional aerobic and stretching routines alone.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Paulraj Manickavelu, Babu Subbaih, Akshay K, Lakshna Girija Baskaran, Anand Babu Kaliyaperumal, Santhiya Paneerselvam
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