EFFECTS OF 12-WEEK AEROBIC EXERCISE PROGRAMME ON PULMONARY FUNCTIONS OF NIGERIAN MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS

Abstract

Abstract
This study examined the effect of a 12-week aerobic exercise programme on selected pulmonary function indices among Nigerian university students. A purposive sample of 25 participants was randomly assigned into experimental and control groups, with pulmonary function assessed before and after the intervention using Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to control for baseline differences. The results indicated that the aerobic exercise programme produced a statistically significant improvement in MVV among participants in the experimental group compared to controls (F(1,22) = 7.854, p = .010, η² = .263), highlighting enhanced ventilatory capacity following regular training. However, changes in FVC (F(1,22) = 2.699, p = .115, η² = .109), FEV₁ (F(1,22) = 2.863, p = .105, η² = .115), and PEF (F(1,22) = 1.693, p = .207, η² = .072) were not statistically significant, although numerical improvements were observed. These findings suggest that while aerobic exercise can promote improvements in pulmonary efficiency, as evidenced by MVV, longer duration or more intensive programmes may be required to elicit significant changes in static lung volumes and flow-dependent indices. This study contributes novel evidence from a Nigerian university population, reinforcing the importance of structured aerobic exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy for promoting respiratory health in young adults.