The aim of this study was to determine whether a rowing training program leads to improvements in physical fitness and body composition in women who have survived breast cancer (53.70 ± 7.88 years). The participants (n = 30) completed a twelve-week training program consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting from sixty to ninety minutes. An anthropometric and general physical fitness assessment was performed before and after the program. The results showed statistically significant improvements in all the physical fitness tests performed: sit and reach (2.82 cm); back scratch, dominant (3.29 cm); back scratch, non-dominant (4.59 cm); counter movement jump (1.91 cm); hand grip, dominant (2.54 kgf); hand grip, non-dominant (2.53 kgf); chair stand (2.56 rep); and six-minute walk (51.56 m). In addition, a significant improvement was observed in the efficiency of the cardiovascular system measured by heart rate, in beats per minute (bpm), both before (−12.63 bpm) and after the six-minute walk test (−11.46 bpm). The evaluated body composition parameters also improved, specifically total lean mass (2.18 kg) and the percentage of total body fat (−2.63%). We can therefore conclude that rowing training programs can be a strategy to be considered for improving physical fitness in this population given the improvement obtained in both anthropometric and physical fitness variables, thus leading to better health and quality of life.

Adolescence has been considered a crucial stage for the adoption of healthy habits such as physical activity. In addition, numerous research studies have shown that physical activity is a positive factor for health behaviors and quality of life. In this sense, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and perceived quality of life in a sample of students studying physical activity and sport. This is a descriptive observational study with a population of physical activity and sports students from the San Pablo High School in Seville, Spain. The participants (N = 86), with a mean age of 18.56 ± 1.88 years, were pursuing professional qualifications in Physical Activity and Sport. They were administered the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and the SF-36 questionnaire on perceived health status. For data analysis, a correlation analysis (Spearman’s rho) was performed. The results indicate that students attending sports-related vocational training programs engaged in more physical activity (96.9%) than the population average suggested by the World Health Organization (20%). In addition, a direct relationship was shown between participating in physical activity and perceived health. Depending on the intensity of the physical activity, students found less physical interference (IPAQ Vigorous—Physical Function (rho = 0.252; p = 0.019); IPAQ Sedentary—Bodily Pain (rho = 0. 223; p < 0.039); IPAQ Total—Physical Function (rho = 0.256; p = 0.018)) and emotional interference (IPAQ Moderate—Emotional Role (rho = 0.237; p = 0.028)) when performing exercise or activities of daily life; therefore, physical activity appears to be beneficial for self-perception of quality of life.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an aerobic training program with a strength training program on body composition and energy expenditure in overweight or obese (29.06 ± 3.49 kg/m²) young adults (21.96 ± 1.90 years). Subjects (N = 109) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (CG), an aerobic training (AT) group and a strength training (ST) group. Training took place over twelve weeks comprising three sessions per week with each session lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Before and after the program, weight, height, body mass index, lean mass percentage and fat mass percentage were evaluated. In addition, The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to estimate energy expenditure. The results of both aerobic training and strength training produced statistically significant improvements in weight (AT-CG = −2.892 kg; ST-CG = −2.986 kg); BMI (AT-CG = −1.075 kg/m²; ST-CG = −1.118 kg/m²); total body fat (AT-CG = −1529.172 g; ST-CG = −763.815); and total body fat percentage (AT-CG = −1.421%; AT-ST = −0.855%). These two exercise prescription models were therefore useful in reducing overweight and obesity, which could have an impact on improving the health and quality of life of individuals with these characteristics.

The aim of this study was to determine whether a rowing training program could improve cardiac function in women (n = 28) with the mean age of 52.30 ± 3.78 years who survived breast cancer (stage 1: 4.55%; 2: 36.36%; 3: 54.54%; and 4: 4.55%) diagnosed 4.68 ± 3.00 years previously and underwent subsequent surgery (preservation: 56.52%; total mastectomy: 39.13%; and double mastectomy: 4.35%). Participants completed a 12-week training program consisting of three weekly sessions lasting 60–90 min with a progressive intensity increase according to the Börg scale. The assessments performed were blood pressure and pulse measurements both at rest and after performing the six-minute walk test to collect data on cardiac behavior and aerobic performance. The results showed statistically significant differences in cardiovascular system efficiency measured on the basis of heart rate both before (−12.63 ± 14.68 bpm) and after the six-minute walk test (−11.46 ± 28.39 bpm), increase in the distance achieved in the aerobic endurance test (51.56 ± 48.26 m) as well as decrease in diastolic (−13.6 ± 7.85 mm Hg) and systolic (−6.60 ± 9.10 mm Hg) blood pressure. These results suggest that rowing training programs could be a strategy to consider in this population for the benefits observed in heart rate, blood pressure and aerobic performance, which would lead to improved general health and quality of life.

The objective of this study was to analyse the amount of time young adults spent performing vigorous, moderate intensity activities, walking and sitting through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), as well as the loss of weight and fat mass before and after an aerobic training program. The sample consisted of 20 men aged 21.86 ± 1.85 years who initially had a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2. The training program was carried out for twelve weeks, three times per week on nonconsecutive days, in sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Before and after the treatment, an anthropometric assessment of weight, height and fat mass was performed using a dual-energy x-ray densitometry equipment and the participants were also asked to complete the IPAQ-SF questionnaire. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in both weight (88.29 vs 86.52) kg, BMI (29.22 vs 28.64) kg/m2 and body fat (26.43 vs 25.21) kg. Similarly, energy expenditure (METS min/week) improved in all measurements: in vigorous (980.87 vs 4038.26) and moderate physical activity (450.44 vs 1615.65), walking (949.25 vs 1336.50) and total (2380.56 vs 6690.42), although no significant differences in energy consumed walking were found. The main conclusion reached after this research is that in young adults who are overweight or obese, an exclusively aerobic exercise program, enabled them to reduce their body weight by approximately the same amount of fat mass lost and that their adherence to physical exercise increased as their moderate and vigorous levels increased nearly fourfold, and their total physical activity was more than double that at the beginning of the program.