THE EFFECT OF CALISTHENIC EXERCISES ON SOME PHYSICAL PARAMETERS AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN WOMEN WHO UNDERWENT MASTECTOMY

This study was conducted to determine the effects of calisthenic exercises on certain physical parameters and muscle strength in women who have undergone mastectomy surgery. A total of 30 women, aged between 40 and 60 years, who were receiving post-mastectomy treatment at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Training and Research Hospital, voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Individuals deemed eligible for measurements by a specialist oncologist were included in the study. Institutional permission and ethical approval were obtained from the Faculty of Medicine at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. The participants’ ages were determined based on official identification. Measurements included height, body weight, body fat percentage, circumference measurements, handgrip strength, leg and back strength. The results were presented as arithmetic means (x?) and standard deviations (sd). Independent samples t-test was used to determine differences between groups. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. According to the findings, differences in body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, back strength, and relative strength values were statistically significant between the groups (p<0.05). Although numerical differences were observed in other variables, these were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, the more favorable values observed in certain physical characteristics and strength parameters among women who engaged in calisthenic exercises after mastectomy suggest that calisthenic resistance exercises may have a positive impact on muscular system function.