Effects of Aerobics Intervention on Health-related Physical Fitness and Exercise Behavior of the middle-aged and elderly people

Abstract

This study aims to discuss the effects of a 12-week Aerobics and Exercise Perception course on Health-related Physical Fitness and Exercise Behavior of the middle-aged and elderly people. With purposively sampling, total 38 middle-aged and elderly participants above the age 55 in a community are selected as the research samples for the tests of physical fitness (BMI, 3-min step test, 1-min sit-up, and sit-and-reach) and questionnaire survey of Exercise Behavior before and after the intervention. Descriptive Statistics, Paired-Samples t Test, Independent-Sample t Test, and Chi-Square Distribution Test are utilized for analyses. The research outcomes show that (1) the blood pressure of male and female middle-aged and elderly participants achieves the significant difference (p < .05), (2) the cardiopulmonary, muscular, and flexibility fitness, but not BMI, in Health-related Physical Fitness reaches the significant difference (p < .05), and (3) the effects on Exercise Behavior do not achieve the significant difference (p < .05), but the exercise frequency, period, and item increase apparently; the variables of Exercise could assist in getting well with others, Exercise is funny, and Exercise could release pressure in Exercise Attitude reach the significant difference (p < .05) before and after the intervention; and, Exercise Perception merely achieves the significant difference (p < .05) on Perception of Aerobics. It is concluded that Aerobics and Exercise Perception course could improve Exercise Attitude of the middle-aged and elderly participants and enhance the cardiopulmonary, muscular, and flexibility fitness. For the improvement of body composition, intervention in exercise and diet control suitable for individuals should be planned so as to reduce weight and enhance health