Investigation of the Effects of Swimming Training on Body Composition and Anthropometric Characteristics in Sedentary Women

Authors : Sedat Özcan
Pages : 199-207
Doi:10.15314/tsed.1688389
View : 97 | Download : 191
Publication Date : 2025-08-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :The aim of this study is to examine the effects of regular swimming exercises on certain physical parameters, anthropometric characteristics, and body fat percentage in sedentary women. Twenty sedentary women (31.05 ± 5.04 years; 163 ± 5 cm; 66.15 ± 11.68 kg) who had not previously engaged in regular physical activity participated in the study. Participants underwent a swimming exercise program three days a week for six weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes. To evaluate the effects of the exercise program, anthropometric circumference measurements, subcutaneous fat thickness measurements, and body mass index (BMI) calculations were conducted at the beginning and end of the study. The swimming sessions were held at the Ankara Eryaman Swimming Pool, and the physical measurements were carried out in a performance measurement laboratory. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 for Windows. According to the results, there was no statistically significant difference in shoulder, chest, thigh, and forearm circumference measurements (p>0.05), while statistically significant differences were found in waist, abdominal, hip, leg, and arm circumference measurements (p<0.05). In terms of subcutaneous fat thickness, significant reductions were observed in the biceps, triceps, suprailiac, and quadriceps regions (p<0.05), whereas no significant differences were found in the pectoral, subscapular, abdominal, and calf regions (p>0.05). Additionally, participants\\\' body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage showed statistically significant decreases (p<0.05). In conclusion, swimming exercises were found to positively affect certain components of body composition in sedentary women. The findings of this study are supported by similar results in the existing literature. Accordingly, swimming can be considered an effective form of exercise for individuals aiming to lose weight and achieve a healthier anthropometric profile. Future studies are recommended to examine different age groups, genders, and variations in exercise duration and frequency for a more comprehensive understanding of swimming’s effects.
Keywords : Yüzme, Vücut Yağ Oranı, Antropometre

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