Effects of 16-week Muay Thai practice on cardiovascular parameters in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity

Background Changes in cardiovascular health indicators during childhood and adolescence can lead to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Excess body fat is one of the main factors for cardiovascular diseases. Thus, new strategies for the practice of physical activity with this population are needed to prevent and/or reverse this situation. Aim To analyze the effects of 16 weeks of Muay Thai practice on heart rate variability, blood pressure, and resting heart rate in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Methods The sample is composed of 30 children and adolescents of both sexes (17 male and 13 female) aged 12.50 ± 2.12 years. The participants were divided into Muay Thai ( n = 17) and control ( n = 13). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured using an automatic oscillometric device. Heart rate variability was assessed by a frequency meter and was analyzed considering the time domain indices, frequency, and the Poincaré plot. The outcomes were evaluated before (initial time) and after 16 weeks. The Muay Thai group, performed an intervention with Muay Thai training for 16 weeks (three times a week on non-consecutive days). Each training session lasted 90 min and the intensity was maintained from moderate to high using the perceived exertion scale. Results The Muay Thai group demonstrated lower heart rate values than the control group at the pre-test ( p = 0.040). In addition, the Muay Thai group decreased the heart rate in post-test when compared to the pre-test ( p < 0.001). Conclusion 16 weeks of Muay Thai shows a tendency to reduce resting heart rate in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.