Effects of a 12-week physical education program on the body composition of 10- and 11-year-old children

Summary Objectives The purpose was to study the effects of a physical education (PE) program of vigorous-intensity physical activity (PA) on the body composition of children. Methods This investigation involved 120 school children from 10 to 11 years old (66 males 10.36 ± 0.49 years, and 54 females 10.65 ± 0.48 years). The variables measured were: body weight, fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat mass index (FMI) and total body water (TBW). The design was experimental with two groups, experimental group EG (vigorous-intensity PA) and control group CG (moderate-intensity PA). Results Males of CG significantly improved body weight, FFM (kg) and TBW; males of EG significantly improved body weight, FFM (kg and %), FFMI, FM (%), FMI and TBW. Females of CG significantly improved body weight, FFM (kg) and TBW; females of EG significantly improved body weight, FFM (kg and %), FM (%) and TBW. Conclusions Both training procedures improved body composition but more aspects of it (body weight, FFM kg and %, FFMI, FM %, FMI and TBW) are improved by vigorous-intensity PA.