Effects of programmed physical activity on body composition in post-pubertal schoolchildren

Objective to assess body composition modifications in post-pubertal schoolchildren after practice of a physical activity program during one school year. methods the sample consisted of 386 students aged between 15 and 17 years and divided into two groups: the study group (sg) comprised 195 students and the control group (cg),191. the sg was submitted to a physical activity program and the cg attended conventional physical education classes. body composition was assessed using body mass index (bmi),percentage of body fat (%bf),fat mass (fm),and lean mass (lm). results a positive effect of the physical activity program on body composition in the sg (p < 0.001) was observed,as well as on the interaction time x group in all the variables analyzed in both genders. a reduction in %bf (mean of differences = -5.58%) and waist circumference (-2.33 cm),as well as an increase in lm (+2.05 kg) were observed in the sg for both genders,whereas the opposite was observed in the cg. conclusion the practice of programmed physical activity promotes significant reduction of body fat in post-pubertal schoolchildren. © 2013 sociedade brasileira de pediatria.