The Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training on Physical Function in Overweight Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Childhood obesity is an ongoing and increasing issue, resulting in changes in body mass which cause biomechanical alterations in the lower limbs. Exercise interventions have been effectiveness at causing positive changes to the lower limbs gait, strength and functioning but children often report lack of enjoyment from the sessions which inhibits long term changes. This intervention takes a neuromuscular exercise approach whilst considering the psychological needs of children to motivate them to participate in the intervention and physical activity.

Official Title
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The Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training on Physical Activity, Gait, Strength, and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Children

Conditions
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Obesity, Childhood Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: 8-week neuromuscular training program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: children aged 8-11 years old overweight/obese children Exclusion Criteria: children who have not given consent or had parental consent to participate children who fall outside of the selected age range children who have a physical or mental impairment that will affect their ability to participate in the procedures in the laboratory and intervention settings

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Training group<br>8-week neuromuscular training program | Other: 8-week neuromuscular training program<br>* Training program consisting of two neuromuscular training sessions per week<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in body fat percentage | Bioelectrical impedance analysis of fat mass relative to body mass | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in fat free mass | Bioelectrical impedance analysis of fat free mass relative to body mass | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in body mass index (BMI) | BMI calculated with height measured barefoot on weight scales and height measured barefoot on Stadiometer and Z-score based on standard measures for age and gender. A reduction in BMI is a positive change. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in Hip 3d gait analysis | 3D joint angle, moment and power waveforms during stance phase. Moment and power dimensionless and normalised to body mass and leg length. Time normalised to 100% of stance and walking at a self-selected pace. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in Knee 3d gait analysis | 3D joint angle, moment and power waveforms during stance phase. Moment and power dimensionless and normalised to body mass and leg length. Time normalised to 100% of stance and walking at a self-selected pace. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in Ankle 3d gait analysis | 3D joint angle, moment and power waveforms during stance phase. Moment and power dimensionless and normalised to body mass and leg length. Time normalised to 100% of stance and walking at a self-selected pace. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in Foot 3d gait analysis | Angle of the forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot and shank during the stance phase when walking at a self-selected pace. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in lower limb strength relative to body mass | Lower limb strength measured on Isokinetic Dynamometer in hip flexion/extension, hip abduction/adduction, knee flexion/extension, ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion. Maximal moments allometrically scaled to body mass | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in lower limb strength relative to fat free mass | Lower limb strength measured on Isokinetic Dynamometer in hip flexion/extension, hip abduction/adduction, knee flexion/extension, ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion. Maximal moments allometrically scaled to fat free mass | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical functioning: six-minute timed walk | Distance walked at a self-selected speed for six minutes | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical functioning: sit-to-stand test | The amount of repetitions of moving from a sitting position with knees at 90 degrees flexion to an upright standing position and return in one minute. Arms fixed across chest. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical functioning: timed up and go test | Time taken to rise from a seated position with knees at 90 degrees flexion and arms across chest, walk 3m and return back to seated position | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical functioning: single leg stand eyes open | Maximal time to maintain balance on one leg with hands on hip and free leg bent to 90degrees flexion | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical functioning: single leg stand eyed closed | Maximal time to maintain balance on one leg with eyes closed, hands on hip and free leg bent to 90degrees flexion | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical activity: percentage of time spent in sedentary activity levels | Accelerometer data captured and time spent in sedentary level expressed as a percentage of time worn. Accelerometers worn on right side waist for one week. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in physical activity: percentage of time spent in moderate to vigorous activity levels | Accelerometer data captured and time spent in moderate to vigorous level expressed as a percentage of time worn. Accelerometers worn on right side waist for one week. | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up | 
| Change in motivation towards physical activity | Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire to measure motivation towards physical activity | From baseline to end of 8-week training program and to end of 8-week follow-up |