The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on the Development of Some Physiological Variables among First-Year Students in the College of Sports Sciences at the Arab American University

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the impact of aerobic exercises on the development of certain physiological variables (resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, stroke volume, and maximal oxygen consumption) among first-year students at the College of Sports Sciences at the Arab American University. The researchers employed an experimental method for a single group through pre-post measurements, deemed suitable for the study's nature. The study population comprised all first-year students enrolled in the College of Sports Sciences at the Arab American University during the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024, totaling 45 students. The study sample was purposively selected and consisted of 33 students, representing 73.3% of the original study population. Following statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the researchers found that aerobic exercise programs had a positive effect on physiological variables (systolic blood pressure, stroke volume, maximal oxygen consumption) in the post-intervention measurements. Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed in the post-intervention measurement of maximal oxygen consumption, favoring male students. The researchers recommended the utilization of aerobic exercise programs for their positive impact on developing respiratory endurance