Scholarly record

THE IMPORTANCE OF BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES FOR BUILDING PHYSICAL FITNESS IN UNIVESITIES

I.D. Tudor, M.Tudor

Abstract

In this Study we aimed to reveal the frequently underestimated role that bodyweight exercises may play in building Physical Fitness. Our own bodies offer us all the equipment we need to get in shape. Old-school, forgotten and disregarded Calisthenics, or more fashionable Pilates or Stretching exercises may offer us plenty of alternative tools to replace the machine’s assisted “modern” Fitness programs. Method: The study was conducted on 40 female Students of "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, divided into two groups. The Control Group performed a Fitness Program using mainly fitness machines and free weights. The Experiment Group used exclusively bodyweight exercises, consisting in Calisthenics, Pilates and Stretching routines. Initial and Final Testing were applied for a total of 10 parameters related to Physical Fitness. The registered parameters were: Body Fat Percentage (%BF), Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2 Max), Upper Body Strength (Push-ups), Leg Strength (Squats), Abdominal Strength (Sit-Ups), Muscular Endurance (Peck-deck - to failure, light weight), Flexibility (Sit and Reach), Balance (Flamingo Test - modified), Coordination (Matorin Test), Leg`s Power (Standing Broad Jump). Results: The findings showed statistically significant differences between the two groups at the Final Tests in favor of the Experiment Group at the following parameters: Upper Body Strength, Flexibility, Power, Balance, Abdominal Strength. Statistically significant differences in favor of the Control Group were reported for the following parameters: Legs Muscle Strength, Muscular Endurance. For other parameters – VO2 Max, Body Fat Percentage and Coordination – both groups improved their results at the end of the experiment, but no statistically significant differences between the two groups were found. Discussions and Conclusions: Experiment Group registered better progress for 5 analyzed parameters, Control Group was better at 2 parameters, and no statistically significant differences resulted for other 3 parameters. Considering the findings, we were able to conclude that the efficiency of Bodyweight exercises in building Physical Fitness for young people is considerable. Therefore we strongly recommend Bodyweight exercises like Calisthenics, Pilates and Stretching for a wider use in Physical Education and Sport Classes in Universities.

Publication details

Back to publication list