Effects of Short-Term Reduced Physical Activity on Body Composition, Muscle Strength, and Heart Rate in Young Adults
Abstract
Background: Inactivity of young adults – especially short-term inactivity while studying, working remotely, or maintaining sedentary behaviour – is a growing concern worldwide. The study aimed to assess the effect of short-term reduced physical activity on body composition, strength, and heart rate (HR) in young adults.
Methods: An experimental study was conducted to evaluate two-week reduced physical activity (<2,500 steps/day) in young adults (18–22 years old). Participants were divided into control (n = 7) and intervention (n = 8) groups. Muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors (Biodex System 3), body composition (Tanita TBF-300), and HR (Polar H10) during 1.5 W/kg and 2.0 W/kg load of cycling at 60 rpm were evaluated before and after the two-week period.
Results: Body composition measurements and muscle strength did not change significantly (p > 0.05) in both groups. HR was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the intervention group than control group after a two-week reduction in step count.
Conclusion: Short-term step count reduction per day to less than 2,500 steps has increased HR during loaded cycling, but did not have a significant effect on muscle strength and body composition.
Keywords: Young adults, step count, short-term inactivity, heart rate, muscle strength, body composition
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