Physical Activity Interventions for Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Obese Children and Adolescents:A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract Purpose:This study aims to systematically analyze the effects of physical activity on the cardiorespiratory health of children and adolescents who are obese. Additionally, it aims to review the factors that influence the effects of the intervention. Methods: A systematic review of literature on physical activity interventions for improving cardiopulmonary fitness in obese adolescents from January 1, 2011 to March 1, 2023 was conducted. The search was performed on the Web of Science and PubMed databases, and the selected literature is first screened and then assessed for quality, and finally a systematic review is conducted. Results:Twenty-three papers were eventually included, from 11 countries, containing 20 randomised controlled trials and 3 non-randomised controlled trials. 2737 study subjects, aged 5-18 years, were involved, with literature publication dates mainly between 2011 and 2022. The types of physical activity included mainly physical education classroom and extracurricular physical education activities, mainly of moderate to high intensity, with a single intervention of 40-60 min. physical activity was effective in improving maximal oxygen uptake, peak oxygen uptake, heart rate and resting heart rate. The measurement protocol is mainly is based on running and walking, with a modified protocol chosen according to the experiment. Conclusions:Physical activity can improve the cardiorespiratory health of children and adolescents who are obese. The type of physical activity directly affects the interest of obese children and adolescents in participating, with moderate to high intensity physical activity having the most significant effect on intervention effectiveness, and high frequency, long-term interventions being more effective than short-term ones. The three pathways to improve cardiopulmonary fitness in obese children and adolescents are physical activity, improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing autoimmune inflammation, and enhancing fat metabolism. The effects of the intervention are mainly in terms of maximum and peak oxygen uptake, heart rate and resting heart rate, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Other factors that can influence the cardiopulmonary fitness of obese children and adolescents include genetic predisposition, living environment, dietary patterns, and sleep.