Efectos del entrenamiento de la aptitud muscular sobre la adiposidad corporal y el desempeño motriz en niños y jóvenes: un meta-análisis.

Abstract

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of resistance training on percentage body fat and motor skill performance in children and adolescents who do not participate in professional competitive sports. Systematic searches were undertaken in seven electronic databases. The studies under review consisted of controlled trials evaluating the effect of resistance training on body fat (Body Mass Index BMI, Total Body Fat TBF and central adiposity) and motor skill performance (standing long jump SLJ and medicine ball toss MBT) in children and adolescents. Two reviewers performed eligibility assessment independently, establishing that twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis (n= 697). The effect size (ES) was calculated using Cohen’s d. Overall weighted ES for BMI was small with a confidence interval upper limit >0 (n= 7, d= -0.12, CI 95% -0.35 to 0.10). ES for body fat was moderate (n= 8, d= -0.37, CI 95% -0.58 to -0.17). The same occurred with jumping performance (n= 12, d= 0.54, CI 95% 0.36 to 0.72) and throwing (n=4, d= 0.49, CI 95% 0.22 to 0.76). Resistance training seems to be effective to reduce body fat and enhance motor skill performance in children and adolescents who do not participate in competitive sports.