COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN MAT, SWISS BALL AND THERABAND EXERCISES ON ABDOMINAL GIRTH

Background & Objective: Obesity refers to a condition of having excessive amount of body fat. Not only the amount of excess fat needs to be considered but where in the body it is distributed is also of importance. The intra-abdominal fatcarry a greater health risk than that stored elsewhere in the body. Various exercises have been designed for obesity but in particular the exercises designed for abdomen are using mat, swiss ball and theraband exercises. However, there is dearth in literature as to indicate which of the 3 is better and more effective. Hence, the study was conducted with the objective to study the comparative effect of 5week training program between Mat, Swiss ball and theraband exercises on abdominal girth and skin fold thickness. Methods: Sixty healthy individual aged18 to 40 years were randomly assigned to all of 3 groups. Mat(n=20), Swiss ball (n=20) and theraband (n=20). Pre and post assessment was done using BMI, waist circumference, waist hip ratio and abdominal skin fold thickness. Results: Within group analysis in all the three groups showed statistically significant reduction in all outcome(p<0.001).Between groups analysis showed no significant difference between the 3 groups. Conclusion: The results reflected that 5 week exercise program on mat, swiss ball and thera band are equally effective in reducing abdominal fat.