EFFECTS OF A SMALL-SIDED SOCCER PROGRAM ON HEALTH PARAMETERS IN OBESE CHILDREN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Childhood obesity is increasing and, as a consequence, it generates health complications resulting from sedentary behavior and low levels of physical fitness. There are few studies involving children, metabolic and cardiorespiratory profiles, and soccer. Objective: The purpose was to measure the effects of a 12-week recreational small-sided soccer program on cardiometabolic risk and individual responses to cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese boys. Methods: Thirteen boys aged 8-12 years (34.9±11.6% body fat) participated in a 12-week recreational small-sided soccer training program with two 80-minute sessions per week at intensities over 80% of the maximal heart rate. Anthropometric characteristics, cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic profile, individual responses to peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), maximal workload (Wmax), fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and TG were measured both pre- and post-training. Results: Considering the individual responses of the participants, recreational soccer training was effective in improving variations in maximum power and exhaustion time, as well as promoting at least one beneficial change in cardiometabolic risk factors in 84% of the overweight or obese children. There were no differences between pre- and post-program anthropometric characteristics, metabolic profiles, or VO2peak values. Conclusion: Twelve-week recreational small-sided soccer programs were able to improve maximal power and anaerobic capacity and maintain cardiometabolic risk factor levels in overweight and obese boys. Level of evidence I; High-quality prospective study (all patients were enrolled at the same stage of disease, with >80% of patients enrolled) .