Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Diaphragmatic Exercise on Cardiovascular Fitness and Quality of Life Among University Students

Abstract

Background: Aerobic exercise is defined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an activity with a rhythmic component that engages a broad range of muscle groups and can be sustained for an extended period. For instance, walking is an inexpensive, time-efficient aerobic workout that requires little space; it is also an easy form of physical exercise that has been studied more in recent years and has been shown to improve quality of life.
Methods: 30 people participated in the study. In the first week, participants had 15 minutes to complete the WHOQOLBREF questionnaire. Then, BP and HR were pre-assessed using a blood pressure cuff. Experimental and control groups warmed up for 5 minutes. Intervention participants walked and performed diaphragmatic exercises for 30 minutes, whereas the control group participants walked only for 30 minutes. Static stretching for 5 minutes, cooled down for both groups, for a period of 12 weeks, and 3 times per week.
Results: In the experimental group, pre- and post-exercise SBP, DBP, HR, and Domain 1 (physical health) and Domain 2 (psychological) parameters were significantly different, but Domain 3 (social relationships) and Domain 4 (environment) were not. In the control group, DBP (p = 0.000), HR (p = 0.007), D1 (p = 0.004), and D2 (p = 0.001) showed significant pre- to post-exercise differences, whereas SBP, D3, and D4 showed no significant differences.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, participants demonstrated significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness (BP and HR) and QOL when walking exercise was combined with diaphragmatic exercise, compared with walking exercise alone.