title: Randomised controlled trial of informal team sports for cardiorespiratory fitness and health benefit in Pacific adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are high among Pacific people in New Zealand. Physical activity is recommended in the prevention and management of these conditions. Community-based, 'small-sided game' group activities may be an effective and culturally appropriate way to promote physical activity within Pacific communities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of small-sided games-based exercise on fitness and health parameters among Pacific adults over four weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty untrained (13 female) Pacific adults were randomised to intervention or control. Intervention participants were offered 45 minutes of small-sided games three times per week for four weeks. Control participants were offered one-month gym membership after the trial. Primary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂peak) and leg strength (maximal concentric force of quadriceps at 60°/second) measured at baseline and four weeks. Secondary outcomes included glycaemia, lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), and inflammatory markers. Multivariable regression models were used to assess differences between groups, adjusting for baseline values, age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, mean age was 34.8 years (SD 12.6), BMI 36.3 (6.7), systolic BP 127.7 mmHg (12.1), HbA1c 6.1% (1.9), VO₂peak 2.5 L/min (0.6) and leg strength 170.0 N.m (57.4). Sixteen participants completed the trial. Change in outcomes were greater in intervention than control participants in absolute VO₂peak (0.9 L/min (p=0.003)), leg strength (17.8 N.m (p=0.04)) and HDL (0.12 mmol/L (p=0.02)). There were no other significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small-sided games appear to be a promising means for improving the health and cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Pacific adults.
authors: Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Mark G
authors: MG
authors: Biddle
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: Vincent
authors: Alana
authors: A
authors: McCambridge
authors: Gabrielle
authors: G
authors: Britton
authors: Ofa
authors: O
authors: Dewes
authors: C Raina
authors: CR
authors: Elley
authors: Simon A
authors: SA
authors: Moyes
authors: Johann
authors: J
authors: Edge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology; D000095188:Pacific Island People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data