Twelve Weeks of Orienteering Improved the Body Composition, Lung Capacity and Balance Stability Coefficient of College Students
Abstract
This study is aim to explore whether orienteering introduced into a class can improve the body composition, lung capacity and balance ability of students. METHODSː Sixty-three college students, all 19 years old in good health, who registered for orienteering courses were randomly selected. There were 32 males (mean height: 173.9±5.3 cm) and 31 females (mean height: 161.7±5.2 cm) who all had the same instructor for an orienteering course that met 1 time a week for 12 weeks. Body composition, lung capacity and balance ability were tested both the beginning of the course (baseline) and after the 12-week course (post). RESULTSː After 12 weeks of the orienteering classes, males lost weight (72.0±15.0 vs 68.4±13.8 kg, p<0.01), had decreased BMI (body mass index) (23.7±4.0 vs 22.5±3.9, p<0.01), and had a decreased fat quantity (16.1±4.7 vs 14.2±4.4 kg, p<0.01). There were no differences in muscle mass and liposuction weight. Females demonstrated weight loss (54.1±7.6 vs 52.8±7.2 kg, p<0.01), had decreased BMI (20.6±2.5 vs 20.0±2.3, p<0.01), had a decreased fat quantity (kg) (16.1±4.7 vs 14.2±4.4 kg, p<0.01), had increased muscle mass (35.8±3.1 vs 36.4±3.4 kg, p<0.01), and had an increased liposuction weight (38.0±3.4 vs 38.6±3.7 kg, p<0.01). Both males and females demonstrated an increased lung capacity of 4079.1±665.6 vs 4450.2±590.1 ml, p<0.01, and 2576.6±310.8 vs 2828.1±450.8 ml, p＜0.01, respectively. The balance stability coefficient increased in males (11.0±2.1 vs 11.8±2.0, p<0.05) and females (12.2±1.8 vs 13.1±2.0, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONSː The 12-week orienteering course improved the body composition of both male and female students, primarily due to a reduction in fat quantity. Additionally, females demonstrated increased muscle mass and liposuction weight. Cardiopulmonary function was also improved, as measured by lung capacity. Finally, balance ability improved, as indicated by an increased balance stability coefficient index. Orienteering can improve students’ physiological function and would be beneficial to promote as a course for college students.
