Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sedentary behavior among young women is increasingly associated with adverse metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate and compare the effects of three structured group fitness programs on anthropometric parameters, body composition, and lipid...

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Main Authors: Omer Špirtović, Ilma Čaprić, Borko Katanić, Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Vlad Adrian Geantă, Viorel Petru Ardelean, Zerina Salihagić, Aldina Ajdinović, Mima Stanković
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7489
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author Omer Špirtović
Ilma Čaprić
Borko Katanić
Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Vlad Adrian Geantă
Viorel Petru Ardelean
Zerina Salihagić
Aldina Ajdinović
Mima Stanković
author_facet Omer Špirtović
Ilma Čaprić
Borko Katanić
Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Vlad Adrian Geantă
Viorel Petru Ardelean
Zerina Salihagić
Aldina Ajdinović
Mima Stanković
author_sort Omer Špirtović
collection DOAJ
description Sedentary behavior among young women is increasingly associated with adverse metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate and compare the effects of three structured group fitness programs on anthropometric parameters, body composition, and lipid profile in overweight young women (N = 111, age 18–25, BMI ≥ 25). Participants were assigned to mix aerobics (E1, n = 27), kickbox aerobics (E2, n = 28), step aerobics (E3, n = 27), or a control group (C, n = 29). Each intervention lasted 12 weeks, with sessions conducted three times per week, each lasting 60 min. The results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Significant reductions were observed in body weight (−4.8 kg in E1, <i>p</i> < 0.01), waist circumference (−5.3 cm in E1, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and body fat percentage (−3.6% in E1, <i>p</i> < 0.01). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by 7.4 mg/dL (<i>p</i> < 0.01), while low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased by 12.1 mg/dL, 18.6 mg/dL, and 19.4 mg/dL, respectively (all <i>p</i> < 0.01). The most pronounced overall improvements were found in the mix aerobics group. In contrast, the control group showed significant deterioration in most variables, including a 2.1 kg weight gain and a 6.3 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These findings confirm the superior effectiveness of mix aerobics as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve body composition (notably through reductions in body weight, fat percentage, and waist circumference) and cardiovascular biomarkers (such as increased HDL and decreased LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) in young overweight women. Compared to kickboxing and step aerobics, mix aerobics consistently achieved the greatest improvements across all measured parameters, making it the most comprehensive and effective option among the three programs tested.
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spelling doaj-art-6ae9d1a5e60d44399cc5d26a5585ac8d2025-08-20T02:35:46ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011513748910.3390/app15137489Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled TrialOmer Špirtović0Ilma Čaprić1Borko Katanić2Karuppasamy Govindasamy3Vlad Adrian Geantă4Viorel Petru Ardelean5Zerina Salihagić6Aldina Ajdinović7Mima Stanković8Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, SerbiaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, SerbiaMontenegrin Sports Academy, 81000 Podgorica, MontenegroDepartment of Sports, Recreation and Wellness, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Hyderabad Campus, Modallaguda (V), Nandigama (M), Rangareddy, Hyderabad 509217, Telangana, IndiaDoctoral School of Sport Science and Physical Education, Pitești University Center, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 110253 Pitești, RomaniaFaculty of Physical Education and Sport, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Elena Dragoi Street nr. 2-3, 310330 Arad, RomaniaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, SerbiaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Novi Pazar, 36300 Novi Pazar, SerbiaFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, SerbiaSedentary behavior among young women is increasingly associated with adverse metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate and compare the effects of three structured group fitness programs on anthropometric parameters, body composition, and lipid profile in overweight young women (N = 111, age 18–25, BMI ≥ 25). Participants were assigned to mix aerobics (E1, n = 27), kickbox aerobics (E2, n = 28), step aerobics (E3, n = 27), or a control group (C, n = 29). Each intervention lasted 12 weeks, with sessions conducted three times per week, each lasting 60 min. The results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Significant reductions were observed in body weight (−4.8 kg in E1, <i>p</i> < 0.01), waist circumference (−5.3 cm in E1, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and body fat percentage (−3.6% in E1, <i>p</i> < 0.01). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by 7.4 mg/dL (<i>p</i> < 0.01), while low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased by 12.1 mg/dL, 18.6 mg/dL, and 19.4 mg/dL, respectively (all <i>p</i> < 0.01). The most pronounced overall improvements were found in the mix aerobics group. In contrast, the control group showed significant deterioration in most variables, including a 2.1 kg weight gain and a 6.3 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These findings confirm the superior effectiveness of mix aerobics as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve body composition (notably through reductions in body weight, fat percentage, and waist circumference) and cardiovascular biomarkers (such as increased HDL and decreased LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) in young overweight women. Compared to kickboxing and step aerobics, mix aerobics consistently achieved the greatest improvements across all measured parameters, making it the most comprehensive and effective option among the three programs tested.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7489fitnessgroup programsbody compositionlipid profileyoung women
spellingShingle Omer Špirtović
Ilma Čaprić
Borko Katanić
Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Vlad Adrian Geantă
Viorel Petru Ardelean
Zerina Salihagić
Aldina Ajdinović
Mima Stanković
Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Applied Sciences
fitness
group programs
body composition
lipid profile
young women
title Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short Group Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Young Women with Elevated BMI: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort group aerobic exercise improves body composition and lipid profile in young women with elevated bmi a randomized controlled trial
topic fitness
group programs
body composition
lipid profile
young women
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7489
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