Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Football to tackle overweight in children
O Faude1, O Kerper, M Multhaupt
1Department of Sports & Health, Institute of Sports Medicine, University of Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany. o.faude@mx.uni-saarland.de
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|February 9, 2010
Summary
A 6-month football training program effectively improved overweight children's physical capacity and self-esteem, matching standard exercise programs. Football offers significant health benefits for pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Science
- Sports Medicine
- Childhood Obesity Interventions
Background:
- Overweight children face significant health risks.
- Structured exercise programs are crucial for improving health and fitness in this demographic.
- Comparing novel training modalities like football to standard programs is essential for evidence-based recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the efficacy of a 6-month football training program versus a standard exercise program.
- To assess the impact on health and fitness parameters in overweight children.
- To compare improvements in physical capacity, motor skills, and self-esteem.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month, two-arm, parallel-group randomized trial involving 22 overweight children.
- Intervention groups: football training vs. standard sports program, 3x/week.
- Assessments included anthropometrics, cycling ergometry, psychometric monitoring, and motor ability tests.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in maximal performance capacity and improvements in motor skills and self-esteem were observed in both groups.
- Submaximal heart rate during cycling ergometry decreased significantly.
- Body composition and other psychometric variables showed minimal changes; no significant differences between the two programs.
Conclusions:
- A 6-month football training program is as effective as a standard exercise program for enhancing physical capacity, health-related fitness, and self-esteem in overweight children.
- Playing football demonstrates significant health benefits for this population.
- Football can be recommended as an effective intervention for overweight children.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...