A 10-Month Physical Activity Intervention Improves Body Composition in Young Black Boys. (14th September 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howe, Cheryl A.; Harris, Ryan A.; Gutin, Bernard
• Other Names: Levine James A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of obesity. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2010-09-14
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; Obesity; Obesity; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.398
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/358581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-0708

Abstract

Abstract : Objective . To determine if a 10-month after-school physical activity (PA) intervention could prevent deleterious changes in body composition and cardiovascular (CV) fitness in young black boys. Methods . Following baseline measures, 106 boys (8–12 yrs) were randomized to either a control group or an intervention group, further divided into attenders (ATT) and nonattenders (NATT), participating in ≥60% or <60% of the intervention, respectively. The daily intervention consisted of skills development (25 min), vigorous PA (VPA, 35 min), and strengthening/stretching (20 min) components. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results . Following the intervention, the ATT exhibited an increase in moderate-to-vigorous PA and a significant reduction in BMI, fat mass, and %BF compared to the control group. A significant association among the intervention energy expenditure and changes in body composition and CV fitness was observed only in the ATT group. Conclusion . An after-school PA program of sufficient length and intensity can promote healthy changes in body composition and fitness levels in black boys who attend at least 3 days/week.