Does Recreational Soccer Change Metabolic Syndrome Status in Obese Adolescents? A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate whether a soccer program (RSP) might lower risk factors related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese adolescents. Methods: A 12-week randomized controlled trial [RSP: n = 6 (2 girls), age = 13.9 ± 1.6 yr, body mass index = 30.5 ± 2.1 kg/m²; Control: n = 7 (2 girls); age = 14.7 ± 2.3 yr, body mass index: 30.8 ± 3.1 kg/m²] was conducted. Participants underwent anthropometric, body fractioning, blood pressure, lipid profile, and glucose tolerance assessments at baseline and post-intervention. MetS status was determined based on waist circumference and at least two additional criteria: high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. RSP included eutrophic and overweight adolescents and consisted of small-sided games (85 ± 4% maximal heart rate) performed three times/week. Results: High-density lipoprotein increased [(HDL) ∆15.5 ± 5.2 mg·dL⁻¹; p = .01] and triglycerides lowered [(TG) ∆−34.7 ± 7.1 mg·dL⁻¹; p = .02] after RSP intervention. Between-group differences were also detected for changes in HDL (∆13.0 ± 6.1 mg·dL⁻¹; p = .04) and TG (∆−47.1 ± 7.7 mg·dL⁻¹; p = .05). The presence of MetS lowered in RSP (5 in 6 participants; p = .02), but not Control (1 in 7 participants; p = .32). Conclusion: A 12-week RSP was effective to reduce MetS risk factors and status in obese adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• Obesity
• overweight
• metabolic disease
• soccer

Additional information

Funding

This research was partially supported by grants from the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for the Research Support in Rio de Janeiro State and Brazilian Council for the Technological and Scientific Development.