[01] Adebisi Isiak Hammed, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. [02] Taiwo Joseph Oyewumi, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. [03] Oghumu Saturday Nicholas, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

The nurses with the requisite education are equipped to promote health, prevent illness and also care for the sick as a member of the health team. Abnormal body weight, dietary concerns and unhealthy weight gain behaviors are increasingly being observed among health personnel (nurses) in Nigeria. The lack of physical activity in daily life induces obesity and increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and heart diseases. Obesity and physical inactivity comprise an important worldwide epidemic that has been linked to the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of an 8-week aerobic exercise (EA) programme on cardiorespiratory parameters of obese nurses. The findings of this study would help clinicians/clinical staff to take AE into consideration in the management of obese nurses thereby enhancing clinical outcome. This study was a pre-test, post-test control group design. A total of 44 obese nurses participated in the study. The resting heart rate (RHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), vital capacity (VC) and respiratory rate (RR) were measured prior to and following an 8-week AE programme. Data generated were analyzed using inferential statistics of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the statistical significance was accepted for p value of <0.05. The findings of the study showed that the AEprogramme had significant effects only on RHR and RR of obese nurses. It was concluded that the AEprogramme can substantially enhance RHR and RR of obese nurses. However, the AE cannot improve SBP, DBP and VC of the participants. Thus, the AEprogramme should be considered a good training modality for improving only the RHR and RR of obese nurses.

Exercise, Cardiorespiratory Variables, Obesity and Nurses

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