A Comparative Study of Body Composition and Aerobic Capacity between Water and Land Exercise Walking in Male College Students with Mild Obesity

Abstract

This study explores the impact of water and land fitness walking on the body composition and aerobic capacity of mildly obese male college students.Employing a randomized controlled trial, 36 mildly obese male college students were divided into a water group, a land group, and a non-intervention control group. Following a 4-week exercise intervention, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and power bicycle tests assessed body composition and aerobic capacity. The results revealed that both the water and land groups significantly enhanced relative maximum oxygen uptake and lactate threshold, with the water group showing greater improvement. Additionally, water fitness walking significantly reduced body composition indicators including body weight,BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and thigh circumference. However, there were no significant changes in height, chest circumference, muscle mass, and bone density. The research indicates that water fitness walking uniquely enhances aerobic exercise capacity and body composition, offering a scientific foundation for college students to select effective weight loss exercise methods.