22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Mandatory Physical Activity May Prevent Weight Gain in College Freshman
Allison R. Palisch* and Anna R. Greenwald
Dr. Jerry L. Mayhew , Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to determine the average weight gain of Truman freshman during their first semester. Students (461 M, 597 F) enrolled in a required wellness class were measured during the first and 12th weeks of the semester for body composition. In addition, each subject underwent aerobic and resistance training 3 days/week. Men gained a significant 0.92 kg of weight (p<0.001), mediated largely by a 0.85 kg gain in LBM (p<0.001) and a smaller 0.08 kg gain in fat weight (p = 0.48). Women gained a nonsignificant 0.50 kg of weight (p=0.06), the product of a 0.31 kg gain in LBM (p=0.11) and a 0.19 kg gain in fat weight (p = 0.07). If these gains were protracted over a 30-week school year, men would gain 2.3 kg and women would gain 1.3 kg, which may indicate that mandatory physical activity prevents weight gain in both genders.
Keywords: Weight gain, Physical activity, Freshman 15, Body composition
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Health Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 15-5
Location: VH 1000
Time: 9:15