The  Effect of Structured Swimming Training on Blood Pressure Reduction and Body Composition in Non-Athlete Adults

Ahmad Musleh; Haryo Mukti Widodo; Septyaningrum Putri Purwoto; Heni Yuli Handayani; Agus Himawan

Authors

Ahmad Musleh STKIP PGRI Bangkalan
Haryo Mukti Widodo STKIP PGRI Bangkalan
Septyaningrum Putri Purwoto STKIP PGRI Bangkalan
Heni Yuli Handayani STKIP PGRI Bangkalan
Agus Himawan STKIP PGRI Bangkalan

Keywords:

blood pressure, swimming, body composition, aerobic exercise, non-athletes

Abstract

High blood pressure and increased body fat are major risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adult men. Regular physical activity, particularly water aerobic exercise such as swimming, has significant potential for lowering blood pressure and improving body composition, but has been little systematically studied in adult non-athlete populations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured swimming training program on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and body fat percentage in non-athlete adult men. This study used a one-group pretest-posttest experimental design. Twenty non-athlete men aged 25–40 years participated in a six-week swimming training program, three times per week, for 30 minutes each session. The program consisted of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming training (60–75% HRmax). Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in systolic (pretest = 132.4 ± 6.3 mmHg; posttest = 125.1 ± 5.7 mmHg; p < 0.001) and diastolic (pretest = 84.7 ± 5.1; posttest = 79.3 ± 4.8; p < 0.01) blood pressure, as well as a decrease in body fat percentage from 24.1 ± 3.2% to 21.8 ± 2.9% (p < 0.01). Structured swimming training significantly reduced blood pressure and body fat in non-athlete adult men. This intervention is worthy of recommendation as a water exercise-based preventive strategy.

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