Study of the conditions of physical effort in obese adolescents: perspective for the practice of physical activities

Abstract

Our objective was to study the capacity of physical fitness in a group of 12 obese adolescents between 11 and 18 years old, being 7 males (average age of 12 years old) and 5 females (15 years old). The effort test was carried out on a treadmill, using Naughton Model I protocol. In order to study the physical fitness on the treadmill we chose the blood pressure and heart frequency variables measured during the pre-effort, effort and recovering stages. The index of body mass of the obese adolescents was calculated by the weight/height² ratio. The highest SBP value found in the male group was 185 mmHg by the individual with obesity degree 3 or morbid, whereas for the female group, a value of 210 mmHg was presented by one individual with obesity degree 3 or morbid. In relation to the DBP the highest values measured were 115.5 mmHg – male, and 135 mmHg – female. These values were presented by the same individual previously mentioned (morbid obesity). Related to the maximum HR, the highest value of the male group was 179 bpm presented by the individual of morbid obesity, whereas for the female group a value of 195 bpm was presented by the individual with obesity degree 1. HR: Heart Rate. SBP: Systolic Blood Pressure. DBP: Diastolic Blood Pressure.