EFFECTS OF MARTIAL ARTS-BASED RHYTHMIC EXERCISE ON PREDICTED VO2MAX AND BODY FAT PERCENTAGE IN OVERWEIGHT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

This study employed a randomized controlled trial design to investigate and compare the effects of a martial arts-based rhythmic exercise program on predicted VO₂max and body fat percentage in overweight university students. The participants consisted of 40 male Sports Science students aged 18–22 years from Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, who were selected using purposive sampling based on overweight criteria. The participants were matched according to their pre-test predicted VO₂max values and then randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 20). The experimental group participated in the martial arts-based rhythmic exercise program three times per week, with each session lasting 60–70 minutes, for eight weeks, while the control group maintained their normal daily activities without any additional exercise program. Data were collected using the Åstrand–Ryhming cycle ergometer test and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA, and pairwise comparisons were performed using the Bonferroni post hoc test. The level of statistical significance was set at p < .05. The results indicated that after the 8-week training program, the experimental group showed an increase in predicted VO₂max from 31.59 ± 6.09 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95%                       CI: 28.75–34.44) to 35.29 ± 5.91 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% CI: 32.48–38.09). Meanwhile, body fat percentage decreased from 28.72 ± 4.63% (95% CI: 26.61–30.82) to 24.86 ± 4.06% (95% CI: 22.85–26.87). In contrast, the control group showed only minimal changes. The predicted VO₂max slightly changed from 31.33 ± 6.46 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% CI: 28.49–34.17) to 31.18 ± 6.44 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% CI: 28.38–33.98), while body fat percentage slightly increased from 27.96 ± 4.66% (95% CI: 25.86–30.07) to 28.02 ± 4.77% (95% CI: 26.02–30.03).The two-way repeated measures ANOVA indicated that predicted VO₂max did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups (F = 1.25, p = .27, η²p = .03). However, a significant main effect of time was observed (F = 55.36, p < .001, η²p = .59), as well as a significant interaction effect between group and time (F = 65.35, p < .001, η²p = .63). Similarly, no significant difference between groups was found for body fat percentage (F = 0.74, p = .40, η²p = .02). Nevertheless, a significant effect of time (F = 35.72, p < .001, η²p = .49) and a significant group × time interaction (F = 38.06, p < .001, η²p = .50) were detected. These findings indicate that the changes in predicted VO₂max and body fat percentage differed between groups, with the experimental group showing greater improvement in predicted VO₂max and a greater reduction in body fat percentage compared with the control group.

In conclusion, the martial arts–based rhythmic exercise program was effective in improving predicted VO₂max and reducing body fat percentage, suggesting that this training approach may serve as an effective exercise program for enhancing physical fitness among university students.