The effects of augmented individualized exercise programme on the level of physical activity in obese adults

A large body of evidence have shown the importance of exercise in treatment of obesity. However most of these studies did not follow the participants in terms of whether they had the habit of exercise after completing the exercise treatments or not. The other studies in which the participants were followed the efficiency and type of the exercises was examined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop the habit of exercise, ensure the persistency of this habit and increase the physical activity level through augmented individual exercise programme in obese and over 30 years old individuals. In order to achieve these goals the sustainability of two different exercise programmes were followed and examined in this study.In Individualized Exercise Group (IEG) a continuously increasing exercise programme was implemented whereas in Group Exercise Group (GEG) an exercise programme with the researcher was applied. In both of the groups the anthropometric measurements, physical activity levels, strength, endurance and life quality levels were recorded in pre-, during and post- application periods. Individuals who met the criteria for involving in study were divided into these two different groups randomly (BEG, n=11; GEG, n=13). BEG performed an exercise programme of 4 days/week (60 min/day) starting 3 day/week with the researcher and 1 day/week alone during the first month, 2 day/week with the researcher and 2 day/week alone during the second month and 1 day/week with the researcher and 3 day/week alone during the third month. GEG performed an exercise programme of 4 days/week (60 min/day) with the researcher for 3 months.After completing the exercise programmes both of the groups were followed for 3 months and asked to continue to do exercise. The sustainability of the exercise programmes were examined through final test at the end of this period. Results showed that both of the groups had significantly improved anthropometric measurements and strength levels (p<0.05). In both of the groups BMI decreased whereas there was no change in BMI during the follow up period. Life quality and endurance parameters did not exhibit a significant difference in both of the groups (p>0.05). There were significant improvements in physical activity level indicators Physical Activity Duration and Active Energy Expenditure levels in GEG. During the follow up period none of the parameters show a significant difference in both groups (p<0.05). This study indicated that the GEG exhibited more positive improvements when compared to BEG during both the study and the follow up periods. These results can be attributable to the notion that obese people may enjoy group exercises more than individualized programmes.