EFFECTS OF 12 WEEKS OF MODERATE-INTENSITY AEROBIC EXERCISE ON CARDIAC FUNCTIONS OF UNIVERSITY-LEVEL FEMALE ATHLETES

Abstract

Cardiovascular health is essential for athletic performance and long-term well-being, particularly among female athletes. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program on cardiac functions—specifically stroke volume, cardiac input, and cardiac output—among university-level female athletes. A pretest–posttest experimental design was used, involving ten female athletes aged 20–24 years from the University of Lakki Marwat. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group completed a 12-week aerobic training program (65% of maximum heart rate), five sessions per week, including activities such as brisk walking, rope jumping, and burpees. Cardiac parameters were measured using echocardiography before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses (paired and independent t-tests) revealed significant improvements (p < 0.01) in all cardiac variables among the experimental group, whereas the control group showed no significant changes. Stroke volume increased by 14.95%, cardiac input by 13.55%, and cardiac output by 16.57%, indicating enhanced cardiac contractility, diastolic filling, and overall circulatory efficiency. These findings align with previous research suggesting that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise promotes left ventricular adaptations and improved autonomic regulation. The study concludes that consistent aerobic conditioning substantially enhances cardiac efficiency and endurance in university-level female athletes. It is recommended that such training programs be incorporated into university sports curricula to optimize cardiovascular health and athletic performance. Further research with larger samples and extended durations is suggested to explore the long-term sustainability of these cardiac adaptations.

Keywords: Aerobic Exercise, Cardiac Function, Female Athletes, Stroke Volume, Cardiac Output, Cardiovascular Health