Date of Award

Spring 2018

Document Type

Thesis Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology

Committee Chairperson

Melissa Whidden, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Melissa Reed, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Selen Razon, Ph.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological adaptations associated with a six-week weight loss driven program. Total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), blood pressure (BP), resting metabolic rate (RMR), resting heart rate (RHR), body weight, body fat percentage (BF%), fat free percentage (FF%), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), muscular strength, and muscular endurance were assessed before and after the six-week program in 45 middle-aged adults. Subjects completed five 50-minute boot camp style workouts per week for six weeks in addition to following a structured diet plan and drinking a minimum of one gallon of water per day. There was a significant decrease in TC (P = 8.59E-6), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.009), body weight (P = 1.3E-10), BF% (P = 1.15E-6), WC (P = 0.6E-3), and HC (P = 4.3E-7). There was also a significant increase in FF% (1.15E-6), muscular strength, and muscular endurance. However, a six-week weight loss program may not be effective for improving HDL cholesterol, TG, FPG, BP, RMR, and RHR in this population. This study contributes to the necessity to create an exercise and diet program of optimal duration and intensity that is effective in weight loss while simultaneously eliciting physiological and muscular fitness improvements.

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