Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A (2023)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of weight-bearing exercise on selected muscular fitness variables among school girls aged 15 to 17 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The primary objective was to determine whether a 6-week training program consisting of three days per week could lead to significant improvements in muscular fitness when compared to a control group. A total of 40 subjects were recruited for this study, all of whom were female higher secondary school students. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: The Weight-Bearing Exercise Group (WBEG) and the Control Group (CG). The WBEG participated in a structured 6-week training program, while the CG did not engage in any specific exercise regimen during this period. The training procedure for the WBEG included weight-bearing exercises such as squats, lunges, leg presses, and calf raises. Each training session was conducted three days a week, with a total duration of 6 weeks. The control group maintained their regular daily routines. Selected muscular fitness variables, including muscular strength and endurance, were assessed before and after the intervention period using standardized fitness tests. The data collected were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to determine if any significant differences existed between the two groups while controlling for baseline measurements. The results of the study revealed significant improvements in selected muscular fitness variables among the subjects in the Weight-Bearing Exercise Group compared to the Control Group. Specifically, the WBEG exhibited greater gains in muscular strength and endurance after the 6-week training program, while the CG showed no changes over the same period. The findings suggest that a 6-week weight-bearing exercise program, consisting of three days of training per week, can have a positive impact on muscular fitness among school girls. These results emphasize the importance of incorporating weight-bearing exercises into the physical education curriculum for adolescent girls to enhance their overall muscular fitness levels.