Effect of an Eight-Week Walking Program on Health-Related Fitness and Body Image Perception among Premenopausal Teachers

This study was used to assess the effects of an Eight-Week Walking Program on Health-Related Fitness and Body Image Perception Among Premenopausal Teachers. The study aimed to assess the effects of an eight-week walk program on health-related fitness components, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility, upper body strength, and BMI, among 30 to 45-year-old premenopausal female teachers in Mvita, Mombasa. It also examined changes in perceived body image and their relationship with fitness.The quasi-experimental research targeted 50 premenopausal female teachers aged 30–45 in Mvita Sub-county, Mombasa, using purposive sampling. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n=23) that underwent the walking programme and a control group (n=26) that did not. HRF tests included the 20-metre bleep test (cardiovascular endurance), one-minute sit-up test (abdominal muscle strength endurance), sit-and-reach test (low back flexibility), modified push-up test (upper body strength), and BMI calculation. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22, with One-Way ANOVA testing hypotheses at a 5% significance level. Findings indicated significant improvements in HRF components for the experimental group, including abdominal endurance (F(1,48) = 56.72, P<0.001), upper body strength-endurance (F(1,48) = 55.86, P<0.001), cardiovascular endurance (F(1,48) = 39.96, P<0.001), low back flexibility (F(1,48) = 37.75, P<0.001), and BMI (F(1,48) = 29.05, P<0.001). Additionally, the programme positively influenced body image perception. Participants reported increased body weight awareness (P=0.044), desire for a perfect body (P=0.003), improved self-representation (P=0.002), adherence to exercise routines (P<0.001), enhanced physical attractiveness (P=0.009), and concern for body weight maintenance (P=0.003). The study recommends adopting walking programmes for premenopausal female teachers to improve HRF and body image. Future research should explore strategies for integrating walking into daily routines to sustain these benefits.