The Effect of Cardiovascular Exercises on Body Fat Percentage and Body Mass Index Among Overweight Youth

Abstract

Non-excessive overweight represents a critical physiological stage requiring preventive interventions to avoid clinical obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a proposed training program based on cardio (aerobic) exercises in reducing body fat percentage and Body Mass Index (BMI) among youth. The study adopted an experimental approach using a one-group pre-test/post-test design. The sample consisted of 12 young men (mean age 26.50 ± 3.97 years) purposively selected from Souk Ahras province, controlling for extraneous variables and ensuring homogeneity in anthropometric characteristics. The sample underwent an 8-week aerobic training program (24 training sessions). Statistical treatments using the paired samples T-test revealed statistically significant differences (at the 0.05 significance level) in favor of the post-test across all variables. Total weight decreased by an average of 5.93 kg, BMI dropped from 27.50 to 25.63, and body fat percentage significantly decreased from 32.31% to 25.35%. The study concluded that the scientific regulation of cardiovascular exercise loads contributes highly effectively to fat oxidation and the improvement of body composition, recommending its adoption as a safe and essential protocol for obesity prevention and weight management.