Cardiovascular risk profile, oxygen uptake, and perceived exertion rate in children with obesity: the interactive effect of exercise intensity and duration

Ragab K Elnaggar,1,2 Fathy A Elshazly,1,2 Walid K Abdelbasset,2,3 Ahmed S Ahmed2,4 1Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 2Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 4Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular, Respiratory Disorders, and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Background: Although physical exercise is a crucial element in the management of childhood obesity, the most effective training intensity and duration remain controversial. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the interaction effects of exercise intensity and duration on cardiovascular risk profile, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in obese children.Methods: Eighty obese children were allocated evenly to four groups (20 in each group): groups I and II performed 20 -minute and 40-minute constant-load treadmill training, respectively, with the intensity set at running speed, corresponding to 100% of first ventilatory threshold (VT1), and groups III and IV performed 20 -minute and 40-minute training, respectively, with the intensity set at running speed, corresponding to 80% of VT1. Training was conducted every other day for eight consecutive weeks. Blood lipids, VO2max, and RPE were assessed pre- and postintervention.Results: Postintervention, significant between-group differences regarding all outcome measures (P