Published online Aug 8, 2016. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v5.i3.293
Peer-review started: May 26, 2016
First decision: June 17, 2016
Revised: July 1, 2016
Accepted: July 20, 2016
Article in press: July 22, 2016
Published online: August 8, 2016
AIM: To determine the benefits of a 10-wk resistance training programme on cardiovascular health in non-obese and active adolescents.
METHODS: This is a pragmatic randomised controlled intervention. The study was carried out in a Hong Kong Government secondary school. Thirty-eight lean and active boys and girls were randomised to either the resistance training group or the control group. Students in the resistance training group received in-school 10-wk supervised resistance training twice per week, with each session lasting 70 min. Main outcome measures taken before and after training included brachial endothelial dependent flow-mediated dilation, body composition, fasting serum lipids, fasting glucose and insulin, high sensitive C-reactive protein, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and aerobic fitness.
RESULTS: The only training related change was in endothelial dependent flow-mediated dilation which increased from 8.5% to 9.8%. A main effect of time and an interaction (P < 0.005) indicated that this improvement was a result of the 10-wk resistance training. Main effects for time (P < 0.05) in a number of anthropometric, metabolic and vascular variables were noted; however, there were no significant interactions indicating the change was more likely an outcome of normal growth and development as opposed to a training effect.
CONCLUSION: Ten weeks of resistance training in school appears to have some vascular benefit in active, lean children.
Core tip: We have shown that a school-based resistance training programme is adhered to and provides vascular benefit in lean children, lending support to the role school-based physical activity can play in the primary prevention of heart disease.