EFFECTS OF TAE BO AEROBIC TRAINING PROGRAM ON THE FITNESS ABILITIES OF YOUNG WOMEN

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of a Tae Bo training program on certain fitness abilities in young women. The participant sample comprised 60 young women aged 22-27, assigned to one experimental and one control group. The experimental Tae Bo training program lasted 8 weeks, with a frequency of four times a week. Each individual practice was 60 minutes long. A battery of 11 tests was used in order to assess different fitness components. MANCOVA and ANCOVA analyses were used in order to determine the effects of the applied training program. The results obtained indicate that at the multivariate level the training program had a statistically significant effect (p=0.00). At the univariate level, statistically significant differences were identified between the experimental and control groups at the final measurement, in the following variables: push-ups, sit-ups, semi-squats on the right leg, semi-squats on the left leg, forward bend with feet apart, and Queen’s College step test, at the significance level p=0.00. Based on the results obtained we conclude that the applied Tae Bo training program had positive effects in terms of enhancing certain fitness abilities, primarily muscle endurance of arm and leg extensors as well as of torso flexors, cardio-respiratory endurance and flexibility in young women.