Assessing Responses of Functional Resistance Training on Selected Body Composition Variables Among Female Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.5.03Keywords:
functional resistance training, body composition, female studentsAbstract
Objectives. This study aimed to examine the responses of incorporating functional resistance training program and to ascertain the impact of this structured program on body composition variables among female students.
Materials and methods. For this study, 20 interested female students (age: 22.15 ± 1.95 years) from the SRM IST in Kattankulathur, Chennai, were selected as participants. After baseline measurements, participants were randomized into training (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. The experimental group engaged in an 8-week training program comprising40–60 minutes of low-to-moderate intensity functional resistance training. Body composition variables such as weight, BMI, and waist-hip ratio were chosen as dependent variables for the study. To assess the baseline group differences,independent sample t-tests were used. Intervention effects were examined by paired sample t-tests to determine within-group effect of college students, including body weight, BMI and WHR. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results. The paired sample t-test showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in body composition among the experimental group. The pre and post-test values were considerably different (p < 0.05) in the training group. According to the findings, it was revealed that functional resistance program led to marked decreases (p < 0.05) in weight, BMI and WHR. However, no substantial differences were found in the control group.
Conclusions. The study concluded that after eight weeks of engaging in FRT programme, significant improved responseswere observed in body composition variables such as weight, BMI, and waist-hip ratio among female students.
Downloads
References
Kochman, M., Kasperek, W., Guzik, A., & Drużbicki, M. (2022). Body composition and physical fitness: Does this relationship change in 4 years in young adults? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1579. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031579 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031579
Fernández-García, J. C., Gálvez-Fernández, I., Mercadé-Melé, P., & Gavala-González, J. (2020). Longitudinal study of body composition and energy expenditure in overweight or obese young adults. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 5305. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62249-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62249-8
Alexander, G. L., Lindberg, N., Firemark, A. L., Rukstalis, M. R., & McMullen, C. (2017). Motivations of young adults for improving dietary choices: Focus group findings prior to the MENU GenY dietary change trial. Health Education & Behavior, 45(4), 492-500. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198117736347 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198117736347
Chomiuk, T., Niezgoda, N., Mamcarz, A., & Śliż, D. (2024). Physical activity in metabolic syndrome. Frontiers in Physiology, 15, 1365761. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1365761 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1365761
Godala, M., Krzyżak, M., Maślach, D., & Gaszyńska, E. (2022). Relationship between dietary behaviors and physical activity and the components of metabolic syndrome: A case-control study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6562. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116562 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116562
Calestine, J., Bopp, M., Bopp, C. M., & Papalia, Z. (2017). College student work habits are related to physical activity and fitness. International Journal of Exercise Science, 10(7), 1009-1017. https://doi.org/10.70252/XLOM8139 DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/XLOM8139
Arya, S., Madhavan, N., & Jith, J. (2024). Empowering the mind and body: The impact of exercise on college women’s stress resilience and self-esteem. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 11(5), 88-90. https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2024.v11.i5b.3493 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2024.v11.i5b.3493
Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence. CMAJ, 174(6), 801-809. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051351 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051351
O’Dougherty, M., Hearst, M. O., Arikawa, A. Y., Stovitz, S. D., Kurzer, M. S., & Schmitz, K. H. (2012). Young women’s physical activity from one year to the next: What changes? What stays the same? Translational Behavioral Medicine, 2(2), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-011-0108-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-011-0108-1
Godoy-Cumillaf, A., Fuentes-Merino, P., Giakoni-Ramírez, F., Maldonado-Sandoval, M., Bruneau-Chávez, J., & Merellano-Navarro, E. (2025). Impact on body composition and physical fitness of an exercise program based on immersive virtual reality: A case report. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010056 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010056
Dutta, P. S., Ramdas Nayak, V. K., & Punja, D. (2021). Body composition analysis components as markers for coronary artery diseases in type 2 diabetic patients. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 17(3), 369-375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2021.10.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2021.10.002
Kim, H. Y., Kim, J. K., Shin, G. G., Han, J. A., & Kim, J. W. (2019). Association between abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with normal body mass index: Based on the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 28(4), 262-270. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2019.28.4.262 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2019.28.4.262
Segarra, I., Menárguez, M., & Roqué, M. V. (2023). Women’s health, hormonal balance, and personal autonomy. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 1167504. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1167504 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1167504
Moncur, B. F. (2011). The relationship between source of self-esteem and body composition in college women (Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University).
Brogno, B. (2025). Aging with strength: Functional training to support independence and quality of life. Inquiry, 62, 469580251348133. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580251348133 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580251348133
Zuo, C., Bo, S., Wang, T., & Zhang, W. (2022). Functional and traditional resistance training are equally effective in increasing upper and lower limb muscular endurance and performance variables in untrained young men. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 868195. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.868195 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.868195
Khazaei, L., Parnow, A., & Amani-Shalamzari, S. (2023). Comparing the effects of traditional resistance training and functional training on the bio-motor capacities of female elite taekwondo athletes. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15(1), 139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00754-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00754-9
Liao, T., Li, L., & Wang, Y. T. (2019). Effects of functional strength training program on movement quality and fitness performance among girls aged 12–13 years. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(6), 1534-1541. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002190 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002190
Akbar, S., Soh, K. G., Nasiruddin, N. J. M., Bashir, M., Cao, S., & Soh, K. L. (2022). Effects of neuromuscular training on athletes’ physical fitness in sports: A systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 939042. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.939042 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.939042
Kompf, J. M., Rhodes, R. E., & Lee, S. (2022). Selecting resistance training exercises for novices: A Delphi study with expert consensus. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 19(3), 437-449. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276221115662 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276221115662
Faro, J., Wright, J. A., Hayman, L. L., Hastie, M., Gona, P. N., & Whiteley, J. A. (2019). Functional resistance training and affective response in female college-age students. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 51(6), 1186-1194. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001895 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001895
Feito, Y., Heinrich, K. M., Butcher, S. J., & Poston, W. S. C. (2018). High-intensity functional training (HIFT): Definition and research implications for improved fitness. Sports, 6(3), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6030076 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6030076
Lopez, P., Taaffe, D. R., Galvão, D. A., Newton, R. U., Nonemacher, E. R., Wendt, V. M., ... & Rech, A. (2022). Resistance training effectiveness on body composition and body weight outcomes in individuals with overweight and obesity across the lifespan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews, 23(5), e13428. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13428 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13428
Liu, X., Gao, Y., Lu, J., Ma, Q., Shi, Y., Liu, J., ... & Su, H. (2022). Effects of different resistance exercise forms on body composition and muscle strength in overweight and/or obese individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 791999. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.791999 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.791999
Wewege, M. A., Desai, I., Honey, C., Coorie, B., Jones, M. D., Clifford, B. K., Leake, H. B., & Hagstrom, A. D. (2022). The effect of resistance training in healthy adults on body fat percentage, fat mass and visceral fat: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52(2), 287-300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01562-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01562-2
de Resende-Neto, A. G., Oliveira Andrade, B. C., Cyrino, E. S., Behm, D. G., De-Santana, J. M., & Da Silva-Grigoletto, M. E. (2019). Effects of functional and traditional training in body composition and muscle strength components in older women: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 84, 103902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.103902 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.103902
Wang, Z., Ma, H., Zhang, W., Zhang, Y., Youssef, L., Carneiro, M. A., ... & Wang, D. (2024). Effects of functional strength training combined with aerobic training on body composition, physical fitness, and movement quality in obese adolescents. Nutrients, 16(10), 1434. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101434 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101434
Marcos-Pardo, P. J., Espeso-García, A., Vaquero-Cristóbal, R., Abelleira-Lamela, T., & González-Gálvez, N. (2024). The effect of resistance training with outdoor fitness equipment on the body composition, physical fitness, and physical health of middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Healthcare, 12(7), 726. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070726 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070726
Liu, W., & Ma, H. (2023). Effects of resistance training on weight in college students. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012023_0020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012023_0020
Kashiani, A. B., Soh, K. G., Soh, K. L., Ong, S. L., & Kittichottipanich, B. (2020). Comparison between two methods of variable resistance training on body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity among untrained males. Malaysian Journal of Movement, Health & Exercise, 9(1), 45-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2600-9404.323201
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jithin Das T K, Sigamani Jayasingh Albert Chandrasekar, Sooryajith K V, Maneesha Abraham
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
