Effects of Moderate Intensity Aerobic Training on Strength and Endurance of Non-Athlete University Students

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of moderate intensity aerobic training on the strength and endurance of non-athlete university students. Giving the rising number of students leading sedentary lifestyle, it was crucial to look into how moderate intensity aerobic training affects the two main components of physical fitness. For the study, thirty four male non-athlete university students ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-five were purposefully assigned either in experimental or in control group. The experimental group took part in eight week aerobic training program which consisted of moderate intensity exercises, conducted five times per week for sixty minutes each session. Strength and endurance were evaluated using the one-repetition maximum bench press test, 1RM leg press test, 1RM push-ups test, and 1RM squat test. Data before and after the intervention, were evaluated using paired sample t-test. The results show that the experimental group made substantially more gains in all strength and endurance measures. In the 1RM bench press, 1RM leg press, 1RM push-ups, and 1RM squat, effects sizes revealed significant increases. The study revealed that the students, who were not athletes, improved the two main components of physical fitness, e.g. strength and endurance with moderate intensity aerobic training, which provided a straightforward and affordable strategy to increase strength and endurance in inactive populations.