The effect of exercise on cardiovascular risk markers in Mexican school-aged children: comparison between two structured group routines.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of two groups of exercise routines on cardiovascular disease risk markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An intervention study was conducted with 319 Mexican school-aged children in which routines were implemented Monday through Friday for 12 weeks. Routine A was the reference group, with 20 min of less intense activity and routine B was the new group with 40 min of aerobic exercises. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass percentage (FM%), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, glucose and insulin were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Routine A had an effect on diastolic pressure, while routine B had an effect on BMI, FM%, blood pressure and triglycerides. Routine B had a greater effect on blood pressure than routine A. The prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia decreased in both groups. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise is an effective health promotion strategy to reduce some cardiovascular disease risk markers.