title: Health markers in obese adolescents improved by a 12-week recreational soccer program: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: The effects of a recreational soccer program (RSP) upon body composition, heart rate variability (HRV), biochemical markers, cardio-respiratory fitness, and endothelial function in obese adolescents were investigated. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted with 30 adolescents aged 12-17 years and body mass index (BMI) >2 standard deviations of WHO reference values, which were assigned to RSP (n = 10, 2 girls) and obese control (n = 10, 4 girls) groups. The 12-week RSP included 60-min sessions performed 3 times/week. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, insulin, C-reactive protein, HRV, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were evaluated following standardised procedures. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and endothelial function by venous occlusion plethysmography. After intervention, RSP exhibited significant reductions in BMI (-0.7 ± 0.2 kg · m(-2)), waist circumference (-8.2 ± 1.4 cm), %body fat (-2.2 ± 0.4%), systolic blood pressure (-5.0 ± 2.3 mmHg), total cholesterol (-16.2 ± 5.8 mg · dL(-1)), triglycerides (-20.5 ± 12.9 mg · dL(-1)), C-reactive protein (-0.06 ± 0.01 mg · dL(-1)), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, -1.4 ± 0.6), and sympathetic activity (LF, -13.9 ± 6.6 un) vs. controls (P < 0.05). Significant increase was observed in parasympathetic activity (HF, 13.9 ± 6.6 un), VO2peak (7.9 ± 2.8 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (11.0 ± 6.3 mg · dL(-1)) (P < 0.05). Vascular conductance (19.5 ± 8.1 ml · min(-1) · 100 ml, P = 0.005) increased and vascular resistance (-5.9 ± 2.4 ml · min(-1) · 100 ml, P = 0.041) decreased in RSP, but not in controls. A 12-week recreational soccer intervention was effective to improve biochemical, cardiovascular, and fitness health markers in obese adolescents.
authors.affiliation: a Research Centre in Education, Innovation, and Intervention in Sports, Sports Faculty , University of Oporto , Oporto , Portugal.|b Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Institute of Physical Education and Sports , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabrício
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.affiliation: c Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Sports Faculty , University of Oporto , Oporto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Institute of Physical Education and Sports , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Institute of Physical Education and Sports , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montenegro
authors.affiliation: d Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Research in Vascular Biology, Biomedical Center , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Jociene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penha
authors.affiliation: d Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Research in Vascular Biology, Biomedical Center , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouskela
authors.affiliation: e Medical Sciences Graduate Program, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: José Firmino
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nogueira Neto
authors.affiliation: d Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Research in Vascular Biology, Biomedical Center , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Collett-Solberg
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Institute of Physical Education and Sports , University of Rio de Janeiro State , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.|f Physical Activity Sciences Graduate Program , Salgado de Oliveira University , Niteroi , Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farinatti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: body composition; cardiorespiratory fitness; exercise; health; inflammatory markers; sports