Comparison of Squat and Forward Lunge Exercises on Leg Muscle Strength, Skinfold Thickness, and Anthropometric Measurements in Overweight Women Aged 20-30 Years
Keywords:
Exercise therapy, Physical fitness, Adiposity, Lower extremity, Body fat distributionAbstract
This study investigated the effects of squat and forward lunge exercises on leg muscle strength, skinfold thickness, and anthropometric measurements in overweight women aged 20-30 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 23.0 to 24.99 kg/m². Forty participants were randomly assigned to either a squat group (n=20) or a forward lunge group (n=20) and completed an 8-week program consisting of three sets of 12 repetitions, performed three times per week. Leg muscle strength was assessed using the 60-second chair stand test, while skinfold thickness and anthropometric measurements were taken from various body sites.
The results showed that both groups demonstrated significant improvements in leg muscle strength, with mean 60-second chair stand test scores increasing from 30.00 ± 5.45 to 35.05 ± 6.01 repetitions in the squat group (p<0.05) and from 32.50 ± 7.03 to 33.44 ± 6.75 repetitions in the forward lunge group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in muscle strength improvements. For skinfold thickness, no significant changes were observed in measurements taken at the triceps, abdominal, suprailiac, or thigh sites for either group. Similarly, anthropometric measurements, including chest, waist, hip, and limb circumferences, showed no notable reductions or inter-group differences post-intervention.
These findings suggest that while both squat and forward lunge exercises effectively enhance leg muscle strength, they do not significantly influence body composition over
an 8-week period. In conclusion, squat and forward lunge exercises can serve as practical and efficient options for improving muscular strength in overweight women. However, further research with longer interventions or combined training regimens is needed to assess their potential impact on body composition and overall health.
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