VOLLEYBALL AS AN EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

Introduction: Sport is very important in the lives of children and adolescents, as it brings countless benefits at the physical, psychological and social levels. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects on physical fitness of an exercise program for overweight and obese female adolescents, with an emphasis on teaching volleyball. Methods: Twenty-five volunteers participated, aged between 13 and 14 years, of which 11 were overweight or obese for statistical analysis. Anthropometric and physical capacity assessments were performed, before and after 12 weeks, through activities related to volleyball. Results: There was an increase in height and span and a reduction in waist circumference, with no significant differences in body weight, BMI, arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness; there was an increase in the sit-and-reach test, in the number of sit-ups and in the distance of the horizontal jump. There was a decrease in the time in the square test and the 20-meter run, with no significant differences in the medicine ball throw and in the 6-minute run test. Conclusion: It is concluded that the volleyball teaching program provided benefits for the physical fitness of overweight and obese adolescents. Level of evidence II; Lower quality RCT (example