Effects of a four-week running training programme on the body composition of sedentary young senegalese adults

Introduction: Physical activity without a programme tailored to the individual's state of health and physical condition constitutes a risk for sedentary adults. Objective: To study the effects of a 4-week running training programme on body composition and resting heart rate in sedentary subjects. Protocol: 12 sedentary Senegalese adults underwent a 4-week running training programme with 4 sessions per week. Body composition parameters and resting heart rate were assessed before and after training. Results: With the exception of subscapular skin fold and calf circumference, all the body composition variables studied (weight, fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, body mass index, bicipital, tricipital and suprailiac skin folds, thigh circumference, waist circumference) and resting heart rate were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Notwithstanding the limitations of our study, it can be said that a 4-week running training programme with 4 30-minute sessions per week would modify certain components of body composition in sedentary young Senegalese adults.