Analysing the Effects of an 8-Week Exercise Program Applied to Sedentary Individuals on Body Composition, Self-Confidence and Social-Physical Anxiety Levels

Abstract

It is believed that while sports turns individuals into physiologically healthier individuals, it also has psychologically positive effects on individuals. This study is conducted to analyse the effects of an 8-week exercise program applied to sedentary individuals on self-confidence and their social-physical anxiety level by analysing the impacts on body composition. The experiment group of this study is limited to a total of 40 individuals, 20 female and 20 male, who are members of a private fitness club and who did not do sports regularly. After all the details of the study are explained to the experiment group and consent is taken, a self-confidence scale and social physical anxiety scale are applied before and after an 8-week training program. The exercise program was applied for 8 weeks and 3 days per week at the same hour.The8-week exercise program applied to the 40 fitness club members resulted in positive increases in kilogram, fat percentage and fat mass values of the participants. It is found that positively developed physical changes decreased the social-physical anxiety level of participants and increased self-confidence levels. Additionally, a negative and medium level relationship is determined between the social-physical anxiety level and the self-confidence level (p<0.05).The physical activities during 8 weeks resulted in positive changes in participants’ appearances. Additionally, it is found that regular physical activity decreases the social physical anxiety levels of individuals and increases self-confidence with changes in physical appearance.