Hospitalary concurrent exercise program in overweight and obese school students and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced daily physical activity in the pediatric population, with deleterious effects on anthropometry, muscle function, aerobic capacity, and metabolic control. 

Objective: Determine the changes in anthropometry, aerobic capacity, muscle function, and metabolic control of a 12-week concurrent training protocol in overweight and obese children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Patients and Method: 24 patients participated and were divided into groups once a week (12S; n = 10) and twice a week (24S; n = 14). Anthropometry, muscle function, aerobic capacity, and metabolic biochemical tests were evaluated before and after the application of the concurrent training plan. Two-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Fisher’s post hoc test were used. 

Results: Only the twice times week training improved the anthropometrics parameters (BMI - z, waist circumference and waist to height ratio). The muscle function tests (push up, standing broad jump and prone plank), improved in both groups such as the aerobic capacity measured by VO2maximo and the runned distance in Shuttle 20m run test. The HOMA index only improved with twice times week training without changes in lipid profile in both groups. 

Conclusions: The 12S and 24S groups improved aerobic capacity and muscular function. Only the 24S improved anthropometric parameters and the HOMA index.