[Effects of an exercise program on body composition, cardiopulmonary function, and physical fitness for obese children]

Abstract

Purpose: The study was done to investigate the effects of an exercise program on body composition, cardiopulmonary function and physical fitness in obese children.

Methods: Thirty nine children in grades 4, 5, and 6 in elementary school were employed: experimental group(20) and control group(19). The subjects in the experimental group participated in an exercise program for 8 weeks, thirty five minutes per session, four times per week. This data was analyzed by ANCOVA and paired t-test.

Result: The Height(F=2.615, p=0.027) of the experimental group was significantly different from the control group. Also, in the experimental group, there were significant differences of height(t=4.79, p=0.000), cardiac rate(t=-6.461, p=0.000), body mass index(t=-2.13 p=0.046), muscle strength(t=3.48, p=0.003), and muscle endurance(t=3.20, p=0.005). Otherwise, in the control group, there were significant differences of weight(t=2.27, p=0.036), waist-hip ratio(t=3.16, p=0.005), and muscle endurance(t=-2.38, p=0.030).

Conclusion: Jumping rope improved the body composition, cardiopulmonary function, and physical fitness for obese children.