This study is conducted to assess the effect of eight-week step-aerobic exercise program on respiration parameters at middle-aged sedentary women. Subjects consist of 15 voluntary-healthy sedentary females mean aged 39,33±4,67 years. Three of the subjects consume two packs of cigarettes a day, and of six the subjects, passive smokers and the other does not have any bad habits. A step-aerobic program of three sessions per week, each of which lasted 45-55 minutes, was performed by the subjects. The intensity of the exercise was determined as a 50-60% of maximum heart rate. PEmax and PImax strengths, FVC, FEV1 and PEF values of the subjects were measured before and after the exercise program. Statistical analysis of the data was done with Paired t-test. At the end of the study, a significant increase at p<0,01 level was detected in FVC values of the subjects, and an increase at p<0,05 level was detected in their FEV1 values. As a result, it was found that an exercise which is done regularly and for a long period of time has positive effects on fitness parameters of middle aged females. For this reason, it can be mentioned that this type of step-aerobic exercises has an important role in improving fitness parameters and functions of respiration.

Key Words: Exercise, respiration, sedentary women, step-aerobic