Effect of a Four Weeks Aerobic Training Intervention on Body Fat Percentage and Physical Fitness Indices among 5 to 6-year-old Obese, Overweight and Normal Weight Children: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Optimal physical activity and functional fitness is fundamental in children. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a four-weeks aerobic training intervention on body fat percentage and selected physical fitness indices among five to six-years-old obese, overweight and normal weight children. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study design was used; a statistical sample of 20 preschool girls participated in the study. One group (n=10) comprised of normal weight children and another for overweight and obese children (n=10). SPSS Version 21 was used for data analysis, a 95% level of significance was considered. Paired independent t-test and Analysis of Covariance were used to test the impact of the intervention within and between groups. Results: the intervention had a significant influence on body weight (p=0.023), BMI (p=0.025), flexibility (p=0.005) and muscular endurance (p=0.001) among children with obesity or overweight. It also showed a significant influence on balance (p=0.03) among normal weight children. However, it showed no significant difference between groups with exception of balance (p=0.002). Conclusions: The four-weeks training intervention had a significant difference on some physical fitness indices among children aged 5 to 6 years with obesity or overweight. Programmed aerobic training interventions can be used to achieve optimal body fat percentage and improve on some physical fitness indices among children.