The examination of the effects of a 12-week combined training program on some performance, blood enzyme and metabolite changes in sedentary individuals aged 18-22 years

This study examined the impact of a 12-week combined training program on body composition, aerobic capacity, strength, body mass index, blood enzyme, and metabolite changes in sedentary males aged 18-22. A total of 60 volunteers with an average age of 19.4 ± 1.76 years, a height of 177.16 ± 5.35 cm, and a body weight of 68.64±7.28 kg participated in the study. Participants were matched according to their characteristics and assigned to experimental and control groups by random selection. A true experimental model, a quantitative research method, was used. Before the study began, participants were informed about the exercise protocol, and those who consented to voluntary participation signed consent forms. The participants followed a 12-week combined training program focused on continuous runs, interval runs, and calisthenics. After the pre- and post-test measurements, significant improvements were observed in the experimental group in BMI (t=-3.654; p<.05), BW (t=3.976; p<.05), SMM (t=-7.237; p<.05), BFP (t=7.555; p<.05), BS (t=-2.868; p<.05), LS (t=-2.748; p<.05), RHG (t=-4.822; p<.05), LHG (t=-4.376; p<.05), LL (t=-4.698; p<.05), and Yo-Yo Test running distance (t=-10.870; p<.05). In the control group, pre- and post-test results indicated significant but unfavorable changes in BMI (t=-2.849; p<.05), BW (t=-3.168; p<.05), BS (t=3.820; p<.05), LS (t=2.261; p<.05), and LD (t=-2.405; p<.05), while no significant changes were in the other variables. The comparison of pre-test data between groups showed no significant differences in any variables. The comparison of post-test measurements between groups showed no significant differences in BMI (t=1.177; p>.05), BW (t=1.112; p>.05), and SMM (t=-.144; p>.05). Significant differences, however, were found in BFP (t=2.880; p<.05), BS (t=-2.171; p<.05), LS (t=-1.860; p<.05), RHG (t=-2.968; p<.05), LHG (t=-2.153; p<.05), LD (t=-3.634; p<.05), and Yo-Yo test running distance (t=-9.912; p<.05). There were no differences in pre-test comparison of biochemical variables between groups. However, the post-test comparisons following the combined training program revealed significant differences in G6PD (t = 11.077; p < .05), 6PDG (t = -2.526; p < .05), GR (t = -8.912; p < .05), CA (t = -3.655; p < .05), and AChE and BChE enzyme activities (t = 1.652; p < .05). These results indicate that a 12-week combined training intervention in sedentary individuals positively impacts body composition, aerobic capacity, strength, and enzyme activity. However, these findings are limited to the scope of this study and cannot be generalized. Further research is needed to obtain clearer, more definitive, and generalizable results on this topic. Keywords: calisthenics, aerobic capacity, strength, sedentary, hematology.