EFFECTS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON PERCENT BODY FAT LEVEL AS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTOR IN CHILDREN

This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise training programme on percent body fat level as cardiovascular disease risk factor in children.  The study employed the true experimental research design of pretest posttest with one experimental and control group.  The population consisted of 745 pupils of Ekiti State University Staff School, Ado –Ekiti, Nigeria out of which 32 participants were selected randomly.  They were assigned into experimental (22) and control (10) groups with equal number of male and female in each case. The training programme consisted of aerobic exercises lasting for 25 – 40 minutes, administered three times a week for 12 weeks. Blood sample were taken from the participants before and after the 12 weeks training for data generation. Statistical analysis showed significant reduction of percent body fat after training in the experimental group (p<0.05).  Aerobic exercise training programme enhanced the reduction of percent body fat and can be effective in reduction of the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Aerobic exercise training programme should be encouraged among children.