Small-Sided Soccer in School Reduces Postprandial Lipemia in Adolescent Boys

Although laboratory-based moderate- to high-intensity exercise reduces postprandial lipemia in adolescents, this exercise differs to the free-living physical activities in which young people typically engage. This study compared the effect of free-living afterschool soccer activity and treadmill exercise on in-school postprandial lipemia in adolescent boys.

Fifteen boys (12.6 ± 0.5 yr) completed three, 2-d experimental trials. On day 1, participants rested (CON), exercised for 48 min on a treadmill at 60% V˙O2peak (TM), or played 48 min of 5-a-side soccer (SOC). On day 2, participants attended school where a capillary blood sample determined fasting triacylglycerol ([TAG]) and glucose ([glucose]) concentrations. Participants then consumed a standardized breakfast (0 h) and lunch (4.5 h), and blood samples were collected postprandially at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.0 h.

Reductions in fasting [TAG] were small-moderate after TM (-16%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -27% to -2%, effect size [ES] = 0.46), but large after SOC (-30%, 95% CI = -40% to -20%, ES = 1.00) compared with CON; the concentration was also lower in SOC compared with TM (-18%, 95% CI = -29% to -5%, ES = 0.53). On the basis of ratios of geometric means, the area under the TAG versus time curve was 18% lower after TM (95% CI = -29% to -5%, ES = 0.51) and 25% lower after SOC (95% CI = -35% to -13%, ES = 0.76) compared with CON. By contrast, SOC and TM were not significantly different (-9%, 95% CI = -21% to 5%, ES = 0.25).

Compared with duration-matched inactivity (CON), after-school small-sided soccer (SOC) and treadmill exercise (TM) resulted in a similar, moderate reduction of postprandial lipemia in adolescent boys.