Abstract

EFFECT OF MAT EXERCISES AND RESISTANCE BAND EXERCISES ON OBESITY AMONG COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS –A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Reema Joshi*, Chaitanyaa Wani, Vishnu Vardan G.D. and Tushar Palekar

Abstract

Background: The term obesity refers to the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat.[2] The World Health Organisation has described obesity as one of today‟s most neglected public health problems, affecting every region of the globe.[3] Obesity is the major contributor to the metabolic dysfunction involving cardiac, liver, intestinal, pulmonary, endocrine and reproductive functions. Working in software profession requires prolong time seating which causes poor fat metabolism which leads to obesity which also causes low back pain, neck pain, and reduces attention in work and hence work performance decreases. Abdominal strengthening can reduce abdominal fat and redevelop abdominal muscle strength, so we compared effect of both to find out results. Aim and Objectives: To compare the effect of mat exercises and progressive resistance band exercises on abdominal girth in Obese computer professionals. Methodology: Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional ethical committee. Female subjects between the age groups 21-35 having BMI > 25 was included in study. A written consent was obtained from all participants. The Pre and post assessment was done using following outcome measures (BMI, waist/hip ratio, abdominal circumference and skin-fold thickness measurements). After initial assessment the subjects were randomly allocated in 2 groups consisting of 15 subjects. A low calorie diet was instructed. Each group was given a set of exercises for duration of 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Group „A‟ was given mat exercises; Group „B‟ was given progressive resistance-band exercises. Result: •On comparison BMI Group A pre and post p value was 0.000 Group B 0.000, Whereas on comparison of BMI between group A and B p value was 0.006 which is statistically not significant •pre and post value of group A skin fold measurement p value was 0.000 and for group B is 0.054 which not statistically significant whereas between two group shows p value 0.709 which not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study shows mat exercises are proven to be effective in abdominal fat reduction as compare to progressive resistive band exercises.

Keywords: Mat exercises, resistance band exercises, BMI.