Aerobic training for impaired cardiac function among obese adolescents

January 01, 0001

Aerobic training for impaired cardiac function among obese adolescents

These Norwegian authors measured cardiac function before and after 3 months of aerobic interval training in 10 obese adolescents compared the findings with those in lean counterparts. The obese adolescents were referred from general practice to the University Hospital, and the control group was recruited from 2 schools. Mean age of participants was 14.8; mean body mass index 33.5. Intervention consisted of aerobic interval training (4 x 4 minutes at 90% of maximal heart rate, 40 minutes of training in total) twice per week for 13 weeks among the obese adolescents, whereas the lean counterparts only performed the tests.

They found: "Maximal oxygen uptake was 41.4% lower among the obese adolescents compared with the lean counterparts, but the maximal oxygen uptake increased by 8.6% (significant) after intervention. Obese adolescents initially had 7.8% and 14.5% lower left ventricular end-diastolic and stroke volumes, 21.3% reduced global strain rate and 16.3% global strain, reduced mitral annulus excursion and systolic/diastolic tissue velocity, longer isovolumic relaxation time, and longer deceleration time compared with the lean counterparts. No group difference was observed after the intervention. Aerobic interval training increased the ejection fraction but was lower compared with the lean counterparts. Aerobic interval training reduced fat content by 2.0% (significant) among the obese adolescents."

The authors concluded: "Aerobic interval training almost restored an impaired systolic and diastolic cardiac function among obese adolescents when compared with lean counterparts. These results may have implications for future treatment programs for obese adolescents."

This study supports exercise as adjunct treatment for obesity among adolescents.


For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 164(9):852-859, September 2010
© 2010 to the American Medical Association
Impaired Cardiac Function Among Obese Adolescents-Effect of Aerobic Interval Training. Charlotte Bjork Ingul, Arnt Erik Tjonna, Tomas Ottemo Stolen, Asbjorn Stoylen, Ulrik Wisloff. Correspondence to Dr. Ingul: [email protected]

Category: T. Endocrine/Metabolic/Nutritional, K. Circulatory. Keywords: obesity, adolescents, cardiac function, aerobic training, before- and-after study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 14 September 2010

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