Effects of a 12-week-long program of vigorous-intensity physical activity on the body composition of 6-and 7-year-old children

Abstract

The purpose was to study the effects of a program of vigorous-intensity physical activity (PA) on the body composition of children. This investigation involved 32 school children from 6 to 7 years old (14 males 6.57 ± 0.51 yr., and 18 females 6.33 ± 0.49 yr.). The variables measured were: body weight, fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), total body water (TBW), basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI). The body composition analysis was performed using bioelectrical impedance through the body fat monitor Tanita BC 418-MA Segmental. Stadiometer HM - 250P Leicester was also used to obtain the height. The procedure was as follows: pre-test, intervention and post-test. The intervention consisted of 3 days per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity, 15 minutes per day, during 12 weeks. Data analysis was performed through SPSS 23 and significant improvements (Sig<0.05) were obtained in all the variables except for BMI. The physical activity program used in this study may be useful to improve body composition in 6-and 7-year-old children.