A Six-Week Trial of Hula Hooping Using a Weighted Hoop: Effects on Skinfold, Girths, Weight, and Torso Muscle Endurance. Issue 5 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGill, Stuart M.; Cambridge, Edward D.J.; Andersen, Jordan T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of strength and conditioning research. Volume 29:Issue 5(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: trunk muscle endurance -- endurance -- exercise -- body mass -- workout class -- hula-hoop; Physical education and training -- Periodicals; Weight training -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Physical fitness -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000653
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-8011

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: McGill, SM, Cambridge, EDJ, and Andersen, JT. A six-week trial of hula hooping using a weighted hoop: effects on skinfold, girths, weight, and torso muscle endurance. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1279–1284, 2015—Novel ideas for core endurance training are continually being created. However, studies of their mechanism of action assist in evaluation of their potential as a training tool, for a variety of people and purposes. The specific purpose of this study was to evaluate a weighted hula hooping training program for its efficacy on improving core muscular endurance and influence on measures of body composition. Eighteen women participated in a weighted hula hooping trial lasting 6 weeks, although only 13 returned for posttrial re-assessment. Hip and waist circumferences, 5 torso muscle endurance tests, and 5 skinfold measurements ("sum of 5") were measured before and after the exercise program. Paired samples t -tests were performed to examine pre/post changes. On average, participants experienced a significant decrease in waist and hip circumference −3.4 cm ( p < 0.01) and −1.4 cm ( p ⩽ 0.05), respectively and waist-to-hip ratio from 89.3 cm down to 87.3 cm ( t = 3.312, p < 0.01). There were no significant changes in torso muscular endurance after the 6 weeks of hooping; however, the average "sum of 5" skinfold measurements increased by 10.5 cm ( p ⩽ 0.05). This study of weighted hula hooping suggested that regular hooping was associated with reduced waist and hip girth together with a redistribution of body mass; however, there were no improvements in torso muscular endurance as measured by isometric testing.