A novel primary school exercise intervention for bone and fat outcomes: the CAPO Kids trial

The combined increasing incidence of chronic bone and obesity-related disease places a heavy burden on the health economy. Both conditions may stem from childhood. While exercise in youth is beneficial for both bone and metabolism, the nature of exercise recommendations for each traditionally differs.

Aim:
To determine the effect of a brief, novel, enjoyable, school-based exercise regimen targeting both bone and fat in primary school children.

Methods:
A nine-month, school-based, controlled exercise intervention trial was conducted. The intervention (EX) comprised 10 minutes of thrice weekly capoeira and jumping activities. Anthropometrics, waist circumference, calcaneal ultrasound (Lunar Achilles, GE), vertical jump (VJ), cardiovascular endurance (beep test), resting heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and maturity (YAPHV) were measured at baseline and 9 months. A subset of WB, LS and FN BMD, lean and fat mass (DXA, XR800, Norland) was also collected. Change in outcome variables was compared between groups using one-way ANOVA.

Results:
296 children, including 130 control (CON) (aged 10.7±0.6 yrs; YAPHV -1.9±0.9y) and 166 EX (aged 10.5±0.5yrs, YAPHV -2.1±0.9y) participated. EX improved waist circumference (EX: 1.95±2.82cm; CON: 4.09±4.05cm; p<0.001), HR (EX: -4.11±3.35 BPM; CON: 0.22±3.8 BPM; p=0.001), VJ (EX: 3.47±4.01; CON: -0.59±5.16; p<0.001), beep test (EX: 0.8±1.25; CON: -0.03±0.96; p<0.001), stiffness index (EX: 6.25±10.04%; CON: 4.09±6.99%; p<0.05) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (EX: 3.99±9.06 dB/MHz; CON: 1.33±8.3 dB/MHz; p=0.01) compared to control. Sex-specific effects largely mirrored those findings.

Conclusion:
School-based capoeira improved markers of metabolic and musculoskeletal health in primary school children. The exercise program was safe, feasible and enjoyable.