The Effect Size Analysis of Exercise on Body Composition, Blood Pressure, and Physical Fitness in Korean Adults

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect size analysis of an exercise program on body composition, blood pressure, and physical fitness in Korean adults. METHODS: The subjects were 1,095 adults (men=76, women=1,019) older than 19 years who participated in the Fitness Promotion program at the centers for National Fitness Award Program in 2012. The subjects performed the regular combined exercise for 60-90 minutes per day, 2-4 days a week for 8 weeks. And the intensity of the exercise program was moderate (55-80% of maximum heart rate). In this study the effect size (ES) was calculated by the Cohen (1988) method. RESULTS: The ES was 0.06-0.11 (average small ES) for body composition, 0.52-0.77 (average large ES) for blood pressure, and 0.08-0.48 (average medium ES) for physical fitness variables. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated ES would be a useful reference to determine sample size for post-exercise experimental research.