Game Based on Aerobic Exercise Training and Aerobic Exercise Training Have Different Effect on the Lipid Profile of Overweight Children

Background and Purpose
Childhood obesity has become one of the most pressing health concerns in both developed and developing countries, often influenced by parental overweight or obesity status. Addressing this epidemic requires multifaceted interventions, including physical activity and nutritional control. Among these, aerobic exercise stands out as an important and effective method to combat obesity. Aerobic activities encompass all forms of physical movement—such as play, work, and exercise—that primarily rely on the aerobic energy system. Play, in particular, is an inseparable and natural part of children’s lives, so much so that its presence is often taken for granted. Beyond childhood, play continues to have a significant impact on adults by alleviating fatigue caused by daily routines and work. For children, play is as vital as breathing and is considered essential for healthy growth and development. This study aims to investigate which training method—traditional aerobic exercise or game-based activities grounded in aerobic principles—is more effective in improving the lipid profile of overweight children.
 
Materials and Methods
The research was conducted as an applied, semi-experimental study using a pre-test/post-test design with a control group. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to assess the normality of data distribution. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to compare mean values across groups, while paired t-tests evaluated pre-test and post-test differences within groups.
The statistical sample comprised 15 overweight male students from Tehran province, with an average age of 9.53 ± 0.92 years, average height of 137 ± 8.37 cm, weight of 48.6 ± 6.37 kg, and body mass index (BMI) of 25.9 ± 1.10 kg/m². Participants were selected through voluntary and purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned into three groups of five individuals each: a control group, an aerobic exercise group, and a sports game group based on aerobic exercise principles.
Both the aerobic exercise group and the game-based group participated in three weekly sessions, with each session covering approximately 2000 meters per participant. The intensity of the aerobic training and the game-based activities was monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, which ranges from 6 (very light activity) to 20 (maximum exertion). Participants self-reported exertion levels, which ranged from 12 to 16, indicating moderate to vigorous intensity.
Blood samples were collected from all participants after a 12-hour fast prior to the first training session and again 24 hours after the final session (following 12 total sessions) to evaluate changes in lipid profiles.
 
Findings
The study’s results revealed significant intra-group changes in lipid profiles from pre-test to post-test. Specifically, there was a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and a significant decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p < 0.05). Both traditional aerobic exercise and game-based aerobic activities induced meaningful improvements in the lipid profiles of overweight male children over the four-week intervention period.
Comparative analysis showed that reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as increases in HDL, were more pronounced in the traditional aerobic exercise group compared to the game-based group. Conversely, the game-based group experienced a greater reduction in LDL levels than the traditional exercise group.
Given that play is widely recognized as an effective strategy to combat childhood obesity—and considering that obese children are two to three times more likely to become obese adults compared to their non-obese peers—these findings support the integration of sports games into children’s daily lives. Such integration not only helps prevent obesity, hypertension, and other complications associated with physical inactivity in adulthood but also provides numerous benefits during childhood, including enhanced physical health, improved mental well-being, increased self-esteem, and the fulfillment of essential developmental needs.
It is important to emphasize that play should not be viewed solely through a physiological lens focused on fat reduction. Swiss psychologist Karl Groos posited that children’s play serves as preparation for the challenges of adult life, ensuring that the seriousness of future responsibilities does not overwhelm them prematurely. Thus, engaging children in various forms of play is critical for their present and future health.
 
Conclusion
Aerobic physical activities utilize fats as a primary energy source, leading to the reduction of excess body fat and weight. Continued participation in aerobic exercises gradually improves cardiovascular and respiratory system efficiency. Research consistently shows that aerobic exercise induces beneficial changes in lipid profiles, even among individuals with initially normal lipid levels, including reductions in triglycerides and increases in HDL levels. It is well established that regular physical activity reduces triglycerides, LDL, and cholesterol while increasing HDL, thereby contributing to improved cardiovascular health.
The present study confirms that both traditional aerobic exercises and game-based aerobic activities effectively improve the lipid profiles of overweight children. However, considering the holistic developmental advantages of play, game-based aerobic training emerges as a sustainable, engaging, and child-appropriate method for addressing childhood obesity and promoting overall health and well-being.
Keywords: Sport game, aerobic exercises, obesity, overweight, lipid profile, children
 
Article Message
This study demonstrates that both aerobic exercises and game-based aerobic activities significantly improve the lipid profiles of overweight children. Nevertheless, given the developmental and psychological benefits inherent in play, incorporating game-based training into children’s routines offers a more sustainable, enjoyable, and developmentally appropriate approach to combating childhood obesity and enhancing overall health.