Abstract:
Purpose : The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of walking on health related physical fitness in overweight working group. Method : The subjects were 37 volunteered males and females (ages 30-59) with overweight condition (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m²). All subjects were instructed to wear the pedometer (Omron, HJ 109) on the right waist from wake up until go to bed. Step count baseline recorded for one week . The subjects were randomized and divided into 2 groups, group 1 (18 subjects) walking for normal step and having normal lifestyle while group 2 (19 subjects) walking for 7,500-9,999 steps per day from baseline for 2 weeks and maintain 7,500-9,999 steps per day for 10 week. BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, resting heart rate, blood pressure, percent body fat, maximal oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and steps/day were measured before the experiment, of the 7th, and 12th week of the experiment. The obtained data were analyzed in terms of means and standard deviations, one way analysis of covariance, one way analysis of variance with repeated measure, and multiple comparison by using LSD. Results : By the end of 12 weeks intervention, it was found that: 1. Group 2 walking for 7,500-9,999 steps/day in overweight males had body mass index, waist and hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, resting heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, percent fat, VO2 max, energy, and step/day more significantly improved and almost every variable of group 2 more than group 1. 2. Group 2 walking for 7,500-9,999 steps/day in overweight females had body mass index, waist circumference, resting heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, percent fat, VO2 max, energy, and step/day more significantly improved and almost every variable of group 2 more than group 1. Conclusion : Increased physical activity through walking between 7,500 9,999 step/day is good for health related physical fitness in overweight working group both males and females.