Efeitos de uma intervenção de quinze minutos de exercícios funcionais nos níveis de aptidão física em escolares

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight, obesity and low levels of Physical Fitness (PFA) among children and adolescents has increased considerably. Although they are influenced by multiple factors, these conditions are related to low involvement in Physical Activity (PA) and physical exercise (PE). Therefore, opportunities for this population to practice PE are necessary, with Physical Education (PE) classes being a favorable environment. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of including fifteen minutes of FPE during PE lessons on anthropometric indicators of overweight and obesity (OASI) and physical fitness (PFA) in schoolchildren in the municipality of Canguçu/RS. The study involved 245 adolescents (44.1% girls), aged between 11 and 17, from six full-day municipal schools in the rural area of the municipality. The participants were randomly allocated to the Intervention Group (IG) and the Control Group (CG). For the IG, 24 15-minute ExF sessions were given during PE classes. In the CG, the participants continued with their PE classes as planned. The Generalized Estimating Equations analyses showed a significant group*time interaction (p<0.05), indicating that the intervention program was effective in improving flexibility, muscular strength/resistance, handgrip strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (only in boys), and waist circumference. In conclusion, an intervention program consisting of 15 minutes of ExF during classes twice a week for 12 weeks improves the PAF and IASO of adolescent schoolchildren.