Does Recreational Soccer Change Metabolic Syndrome Status in Obese Adolescents? A Pilot Study.

Purpose: To evaluate whether a soccer program (RSP) might lower risk factors related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese adolescents. Methods: A 12-week randomized controlled trial [RSP: n = 6 (2 girls), age = 13.9 ± 1.6 yr, body mass index = 30.5 ± 2.1 kg/m2; Control: n = 7 (2 girls); age = 14.7 ± 2.3 yr, body mass index: 30.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2] was conducted. Participants underwent anthropometric, body fractioning, blood pressure, lipid profile, and glucose tolerance assessments at baseline and post-intervention. MetS status was determined based on waist circumference and at least two additional criteria: high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. RSP included eutrophic and overweight adolescents and consisted of small-sided games (85 ± 4% maximal heart rate) performed three times/week. Results: High-density lipoprotein increased [(HDL) ∆15.5 ± 5.2 mg·dL-1; p = .01] and triglycerides lowered [(TG) ∆-34.7 ± 7.1 mg·dL-1; p = .02] after RSP intervention. Between-group differences were also detected for changes in HDL (∆13.0 ± 6.1 mg·dL-1; p = .04) and TG (∆-47.1 ± 7.7 mg·dL-1; p = .05). The presence of MetS lowered in RSP (5 in 6 participants; p = .02), but not Control (1 in 7 participants; p = .32). Conclusion: A 12-week RSP was effective to reduce MetS risk factors and status in obese adolescents.