title: Effects of a 5-month football program on perceived psychological status and body composition of overweight boys.
abstract: The effects of a 5-month intervention of football instruction and practice on the perceived psychological status and body composition of overweight boys were examined. Twelve boys (8-12 years; body mass index ≥ 85th percentile) participated in a structured 5-month football program, consisting of four weekly 60-90 min sessions with mean heart rate > 80%HRmax [football group (FG)]. A control group (CG) included eight boys of equivalent age from an obesity clinic located in the same area as the school. Both groups participated in two sessions of 45-90-min physical education per week at school. Indicators of perceived psychological status included body image, self-esteem, attraction to participation in physical activity, and perceived physical competence measured with standardized questionnaires. Body composition was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. From baseline through 5 months, FG improved (P < 0.05) in all indicators of psychological status (%Δ = +11.7 to +29.2%) compared with CG (%Δ = -32.1 to +0.5%). Changes in percentage body fat and lean body mass, however, did not differ between FG and CG. The findings suggest that a 5-month football intervention program was effective in improving the psychological status of overweight boys but did not significantly alter body composition.
authors.affiliation: Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rebelo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rêgo
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Malina
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity; D001823:Body Composition; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Body image; attraction to physical activity; body mass index; perceived competence; percentage of fat; self-esteem; soccer