Vol 8, Issue 1

The Effects of a 12-Week Faculty and Staff Exercise Program on Health-Related Variables in a University Setting

January 1, 2015 - By 

Authors

Michael J. Rebold, Kent State University
Mallory S. Kobak, Kent State University
Kylene Peroutky, Kent State University
Ellen L. Glickman, Kent State University
International Journal of Exercise Science 8(1) : 49-56, 2015.
DOI: 10.70252/DNSI7867

Abstract

The obesity epidemic has grown in the past decade due to physical inactivity (i.e., having a sedentary job) and an increase in caloric intake. This problem combined with the reluctance of many faculty and staff members exercising in the same environment as student’s presents a unique challenge in an academic setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 12-week exercise program focused toward the faculty and staff in improving several health-related variables such as curl-ups, push-ups, sit-and-reach, and balance. Fifty-seven faculty and staff participated in the current study. Participants engaged in a variety of exercise classes taught by certified instructors three days a week for 12-weeks. Paired samples t-tests illustrated a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in body mass and significant (p < 0.001) improvements in curl-ups, push-ups, sit-and-reach, and balance. This data demonstrates that a 12-week faculty and staff exercise program has the potential to improve performance in several health-related variables such as curl-ups, push-ups, sit-and-reach, and balance. The ability of this program to improve health-related variables and possibly delay or prevent the development of overweight and/or obesity, sarcopenia, and other chronic diseases is encouraging.

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