Improved metabolic and cardiorespiratory fitness during a recreational training program in obese children

Abstract

Physical activity may protect from the adverse effects of obesity. In obese children, an increased adherence and a decreased drop-out rate during exercise could be achieved with adapted activities. We studied a recreational 12-week controlled training program for sedentary obese children, including interactive video games. We enrolled 22 obese subjects (13.23±1.76 years) in an exercise program, implemented twice a week for a 12-week period. The program consisted of a combination of circuit-based aerobics, strength and resistance exercises; specifically soccer, rugby, volleyball and basketball and interactive video game exercises. Outcome measurements included body composition, metabolic profile and cardiorespiratory fitness. During the 12-week training program there was a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) (p=0.002), SDS-BMI (p=0.003), waist circumference (p=0.004), waist circumference/height ratio (p=0.001),% fat mass (p=0.001), blood glucose (p=0.001), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p=0.04), triglycerides (p=0.03) and systolic pressure (p=0.04) before and after exercise. Improvement in estimated maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) (p<0.001) correlated with a decrease in fat mass (p=0.01), triglycerides (p=0.04) and insulin resistance (p=0.02). Exercise improved metabolic and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese children. Exercise training does not necessarily need to be vigorous, recreational programs are also effective and may encourage children to participate in physical activity and limit initial drop-out.

A Systematic Review of Health Videogames on Childhood Obesity Prevention and Intervention

“…Studies conducted in Italy (26) and the Netherlands (12) were assumed to feature all-Caucasian participants and were included in the “Reported Category.” All of the non-Hispanic American participants in another study (13) were coded as Caucasian. Although Caucasian participants would be overestimated in these studies, more non-Caucasian (n = 592) than Caucasian (n = 409) participants were included.…”

Health markers in obese adolescents improved by a 12-week recreational soccer program: a randomised controlled trial

“…Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the effects of recreational soccer on cardiovascular risk markers in adolescents. Furthermore, most of the available research applied programs not exclusively based on soccer practice (Calcaterra et al, 2013;Madsen, Thompson, Adkins, & Crawford, 2013;Park et al, 2012) or evaluated very restricted markers of cardiovascular risk (Sacheck et al, 2011).…”

Efecto de los juegos reducidos en la composición corporal y la condición física aeróbica en un grupo de adolescentes escolares

“…En un estudio, realizado por Weintraub y cols 17 en niños, se observó que un programa deportivo basado en el fútbol durante 6 meses fue eficaz para el control del peso. Asimismo, Calcaterra y cols 18 efectuaron un estudio con un grupo de adolescentes obesos, en el que observaron que la intervención a través de varios deportes colectivos durante 12 semanas fue adecuada para mejorar la composición corporal y los niveles de consumo de oxígeno.…”