Effects of an Online Supervised Exercise Training in Children with Obesity during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Matteo Vandoni, Vittoria Carnevale Pellino, Alessandro Gatti, Daniela Lucini, Savina Mannarino, Cristiana Larizza, Virginia Rossi, Valeria Tranfaglia, Agnese Pirazzi, Valentina Biino, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti and Valeria Calcaterra
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Matteo Vandoni: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Vittoria Carnevale Pellino: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Alessandro Gatti: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Daniela Lucini: BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
Savina Mannarino: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Cristiana Larizza: Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Virginia Rossi: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Valeria Tranfaglia: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Agnese Pirazzi: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Valentina Biino: Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
Gianvincenzo Zuccotti: Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Valeria Calcaterra: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: COVID-19 restrictions have dramatically reduced the active lifestyle and physical activity (PA) levels in the whole population, a situation that can contribute to weight gain and to develop obesity. To improve physical fitness (PF) in children with obesity during COVID-19 restrictions, sport specialists started to deliver physical training through tele-exercise. For these reasons, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week online supervised training program in children with obesity on different PF components and PA levels. We enrolled a total of 40 Caucasian children (9 F/31 M; aged 11 ± 1.9 years) with obesity. The data collection consisted of a series of anthropometric measures, the PAQ-C questionnaire, and PF tests, valid and reliable tools to assess PF in children. We used a Wilcoxon’s t -test and a Student’s t -test, as appropriate, to assess the differences before and after the training protocol. A total of 37 patients completed the training protocol and were considered in the analysis. Our results show an improvement in all the PF tests, a reduction in the BMI z-score, the waist circumference, and in the waist-to-height ratio, and an increased PA level. In conclusion, the results of our study show that an online supervised training program is effective to promote PA, improving PF and reducing the BMI z-score in children with obesity.

Keywords: online exercise; physical fitness; childhood obesity; childhood exercise intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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