The Effects of Plyometric Exercise on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Obese Adolescents

The Effects of Plyometric Exercise on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Obese Adolescents

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week plyometric training on body composition, physical fitness and bone mineral density in obese male adolescents. Method: Twenty adolescent boys who are obese were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, n=10) or plyometic exercise group (EXE, n=10). The EXE group was performed 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The body composition, physical fitness, and bone mineral density were measured before and after the 12 weeks intervention. Results: The results of this study were as follows: ⅰ) In EXE group, the fat mass was significantly decreased between pre and post, whereas the difference of the body weight, BMI, and LBM were not significant. ⅱ) Among the physical fitness factors, grip strength, muscular endurance, and 20m shuttle running were significantly improved but flexibility did not show any significant difference. ⅲ) The bone mineral density was significantly improved between pre and post in EXE group. Conclusion: These results suggested that plyometric training for 12 weeks may be effective in improving body composition, physical fitness, and bone mineral density in obese adolescents. Further implications were discussed.