Six-minute walking test and the assessment of cardiorespiratory responses during weight-loss programmes in obese children.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the exercise tolerance and cardiorespiratory responses during 2-month weight-loss programmes using the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) in obese children.


METHODS
Twenty-eight male obese children were randomly assigned to either a control group (C), an energy restriction group (R), an exercise training at maximum lipid-oxidation (LIPOXmax) group (E), or an energy restriction/training group (RE). The body composition, the submaximal incremental cycling exercise, and the 6MWT were performed before and after the 2-month programme.


RESULTS
. After the programme, RE group showed a significant improvement of body composition (body weight reduced by 6.3 ± 1.5 kg, p < 0.01), and an increase of 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) (+13.7%, p < 0.01). Similarly, maximum oxygen uptake calculated according to the American College of Science Medicine guideline (VO(2max) ACSM) and VO(2max) predicted from 6MWD were respectively higher (+12.9% and +10.0%, p < 0.01) than the R or E groups. Bland-Altman analysis highlighted an agreement of these two methods of VO(2max) measurement. Moreover, in all participants the 6MWD was significantly correlated with VO(2max) ACSM and LIPOXmax (r = 0.77, p < 0.001 and r = 0.67, p < 0.01; respectively) before the programme as well as their changes in percentage over the programme (r = 0.85 and r = 0.86, p < 0.0001; respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that a 2-month weight-loss programme including energy restriction and exercise training targeted at LIPOXmax improved body composition and cardiorespiratory tolerance in obese children. Furthermore, the 6MWT could be considered as a useful and reliable tool for the assessment and the follow-up of cardiorespiratory responses during weight-loss programme in obese children.
Clermont University, Blaise Pascal University, BAPS, EA 3533, Clermont - Ferrand, France. elloumimed@yahoo.fr
Mohamed
M
Elloumi
Emna
E
Makni
Omar Ben
OB
Ounis
Wassim
W
Moalla
Abdelrkarim
A
Zbidi
Monia
M
Zaoueli
Gérard
G
Lac
Zouhair
Z
Tabka
D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*