Effect of an 8-Week Anaerobic Gymnastics Training on Static, Dynamic Balance and Body Composition in Obese and Normal-Weight Children

Introduction: Among all the factors that affect human health and success, maintaining balance and paying attention to physiological characteristics and body composition can be very effective in childhood. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of anaerobic gymnastics training (AGT) on static, dynamic balance, physiological indexes, and body composition in obese and normal-weight boys. Method: In this semi-experimental study, sixty obese elementary gymnasts age 8-12 years old were randomly divided into four groups ((obese experimental group, n=15), (obese control group, n= 15), (normal weight experimental group, n= 15) and (normal weight control group, n=15)). The experimental groups had 45 minutes of AGT, which was held 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Anthropometrical and body composition characteristics, and balance were measured before and after 8 weeks of AGT. Results: According to the results we found the significant changes (P<0.05) following AGE in obese experimental group (weight= -8.09%, p=0.001, body fat% = -12.81, p=0.001, body fat weight = -19.38, p=0.001, Vo2max = +6.62, p=0.03, static balance = +32.69, p=0.001 and dynamic balance = -6.16, p=0.001). Also, in normal-weight experimental group we found the significant change of (Vo2max = +7.49, p=0.01, maximal heart rate = -3.34, p=0.04, static balance = +23.64, p=0.002, and dynamic balance = -9.97, p=0.001). Also comparing the percentage of changes in variables between the four groups, we found that there were significant changes in the variables of weight, p= 0.001, fat percentage p= 0.005, body fat weight p=0.005, static balance p=0.001, and dynamic balance p=0.002. Conclusion: Static and dynamic balance improved after 8 weeks of AGT in both obese and normal weight children. In addition, the present exercise protocol reduced body weight, improved body composition, and increased maximal oxygen consumption in obese children.