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

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.