Effect of an Eight-Week Walking Program on Health-Related Fitness and Body Image Perception among Premenopausal Teachers
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Date
2025
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ABAARJ
Abstract
This study was used to assess the effects of an Eight-Week Walking Program on Health-Related
Fitness and Body Image Perception Among Premenopausal Teachers. The study aimed to assess
the effects of an eight-week walk program on health-related fitness components, including
cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility, upper body strength, and BMI, among 30
to 45-year-old premenopausal female teachers in Mvita, Mombasa. It also examined changes in
perceived body image and their relationship with fitness.The quasi-experimental research targeted
50 premenopausal female teachers aged 30–45 in Mvita Sub-county, Mombasa, using purposive
sampling. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n=23) that underwent the walking
programme and a control group (n=26) that did not. HRF tests included the 20-metre bleep test
(cardiovascular endurance), one-minute sit-up test (abdominal muscle strength endurance), sit-andreach test (low back flexibility), modified push-up test (upper body strength), and BMI calculation.
Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22, with One-Way ANOVA testing hypotheses at a 5%
significance level. Findings indicated significant improvements in HRF components for the
experimental group, including abdominal endurance (F(1,48) = 56.72, P<0.001), upper body
strength-endurance (F(1,48) = 55.86, P<0.001), cardiovascular endurance (F(1,48) = 39.96,
P<0.001), low back flexibility (F(1,48) = 37.75, P<0.001), and BMI (F(1,48) = 29.05, P<0.001).
Additionally, the programme positively influenced body image perception. Participants reported
increased body weight awareness (P=0.044), desire for a perfect body (P=0.003),
improved selfrepresentation (P=0.002), adherence to exercise routines (P<0.001), enhanced physical
attractiveness (P=0.009), and concern for body weight maintenance (P=0.003). The study
recommends adopting walking programmes for premenopausal female teachers to improve HRF
and body image. Future research should explore strategies for integrating walking into daily routines
to sustain these benefits.
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Citation
Odero, Violet Auma, Yasmin Goodwin, and Lucy-Joy Wachira. 2025. “Effect of an Eight-Week Walking Program on Health-Related Fitness and Body Image Perception Among Premenopausal Teachers”. Asian Basic and Applied Research Journal 7 (1):101-18. https://doi.org/10.56557/abaarj/2025/v7i1161