EFFECTS OF FITNESS PROGRAMS ON FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Abstract

Group fitness programs are organized trainings that are conducted in a group environment under the guidance of an instructor, and are designed to cover different levels of physical fitness. The research included 52 respondents, divided into experimental and control groups. Bruce's treadmill test with seven output variables was used to assess functional abilities. The experimental program lasted 12 weeks with a combination of different programs and intensity between 40-85%. The results indicate positive effects of group fitness programs on cardiac work, speed improvement, effects on absolute and relative oxygen consumption. No differences were recorded in the forced vital capacity variable suggesting the need for additional research to optimize the effects on all aspects of physical fitness. It is recommended that future research include larger samples and longer time periods to further examine effects on functional abilities.