CASE REPORTS  EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MEDICINE 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2016 July-August;56(7-8):933-8

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Effects of a recreational physical activity summer camp on body composition, metabolic syndrome and physical fitness in obese children

Mafalda S. RORIZ DE OLIVEIRA ¹, André F. TEIXEIRA SEABRA ², José A. RIBEIRO MAIA ¹ ✉

¹ Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ² Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

This study sought to examine the effects of a recreational physical activity summer camp on body composition, metabolic syndrome, and physical fitness in obese children. Forty-eight children (8-10 years; Body Mass Index ≥85th percentile) completed 4-weeks of a structured recreational physical activity program summer camp (5 hours/day, 5 days/week). Over the 4-weeks, significant reductions (P<0.05) in weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index, percentage of body fat, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. Additionally, a significant increase was observed in HDL-cholesterol, handgrip, trunk lift, and shuttle run (P<0.05). These findings suggest that a 4-week recreational physical activity summer camp yields several body-composition, metabolic-syndrome, and physical fitness benefits in obese children and should represent an effective support for their health development.