Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the effects of an after-school volleyball program on body composition in overweight adolescent girls. Forty-two girls were randomly divided into a volleyball group (VG) (n = 22 age: 15.6 ± 0.5 years) and control group (CG) (n = 20; age: 15.5 ± 0.7 years). Both groups continued with their usual physical education activities, while VG was included as small-sided games, two times a week, after school, on modified volleyball courts. Body mass, body mass index (BMI), body fat in kg, body fat percentage, and muscle mass were analyzed by a bioelectrical impedance method. There was a significant interaction of group (VG vs. CG) × time (pre-vs. post) for weight [F1, 40 = 7.933; p = 0.004] and BMI [F1, 40 = 5.764; p = 0.015]. Additionally, a significant main effect of time was found for body fat (kg) [F1, 40 = 17.650; p < 0.001] and body fat (%) [F1, 40 = 18.721; p < 0.001]. The results of the current study show that a twelve-week after-school volleyball program, including two sessions a week, can improve body composition in overweight adolescent girls.
Highlights
Nowadays, in a time of accelerated technological development, obesity in children and adolescents is taking on the character of an epidemic
An effective approach to engage with youth and ameliorate their body composition status is of great importance
There was a significant interaction of group (VG vs. control group (CG)) × time found for weight [F1, 40 = 7.933; p = 0.004] and body mass index (BMI) [F1, 40 = 5.764; p = 0.015]
Summary
In a time of accelerated technological development, obesity in children and adolescents is taking on the character of an epidemic. Adolescence is a period when long-term healthy eating and exercise habits are formed, more than 340 million young people in the world were overweight or obese in 2016, and this negative trend continues to progress [3]. This age has been recognized as the period that may play a crucial role in the buildout and persistence of obesity and for leading to negative consequences during adulthood. Even though school interventions are effective and practical [5], previous studies [6,7] claimed that most adolescents are inactive during physical education classes and that the intensity of exercise is low. In accordance with all the above, there is a need for additional or different programs
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