The Effect of Square Stepping Exercises Training on Lower Extremity

The Effect of Square Stepping Exercises Training on Lower Extremity Motor Performance, Muscle Strenght and Muscle Quality in Healthy Young People: a Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Physical activity plays an indispensable role to lead a healthy life. Square-stepping exercises (SSE) are aerobic exercises.Our study was designed to investigate the effects of square-stepping exercise training on lower-extremity motor performance, muscle strength, and muscle quality of sedentary healthy young individuals.

A total of 120 volunteers within the age range of 20-25 participated in the research. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, as 60 participants were study group (35 females, 25 males) and 60 participants were control group (35 females, 25 males). Demographic data and exercise habit of the individuals were documented. Participants' lower-extremity motor performance was analyzed through Vertical Jumping, Side Jumping, One Leg Squat, and Step-Up tests. Participants' muscle strength was analyzed through Hand-Held Dynamometer. Also, participants' muscle quality was analyzed through Muscle Quality Index. Throughout 3 weeks SSE training was administered 4 days a week for a length of 45 minutes in each session. All the analyses were conducted at the start and at the end of 3-week long training

Inclusion Criteria:

• 20-25 years old,
• Not attending any exercise program for the last 1 year,
• Not having a neurological, orthopedic disease or any disease affecting lower extremity,
• Not having any lower-extremity surgery,
• Individuals without vision and/or hearing problems were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a vision and/or hearing problem,
• Having neurological, psychiatric, and/or orthopedic problems that affect walking,
• Individuals with lower-extremity surgery were excluded from the study.