Aikaterini-Smaragda Zervaki: Acute cardiovascular responses of overweight and obese males and females schoolchildren aged 10-12 yrs old after the implementation of different types of exercise during a typical course in physical education (Under the supervision of Helen Douda, Professor) The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the acute cardiovascular responses of overweight and obese children after the implementation of different types of exercise during a typical course in Physical

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... cation. A total of 59 schoolchildren, males (n=30) and females (n=29), aged 11.3±0.85 years old, participated in the study and were divided according to their level of obesity (normal weight n=34, overweight n=16, obese n=9) as defined by IOTF criteria. Measurements were obtained on anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure (systolic, diastolic), heart rate and cardio-respiratory endurance. Pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, double product and cardiac index were determined with specific equations. Cardiovascular function was recorded a) from sitting position after 5 minutes rest and b) after basketball aerobic exercise c) after a circuit training which consisted of eight strength exercise stations of upper and lower limbs. The times of measurements during a course were: i) at rest ii) at the 10th min iii) at the 20th min iv) at the 30th min v) at 40th min vi) at the 45th min (5th min recovery). The analysis of data revealed that normal weight children presented better values in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, resting pulse pressure, heart rate, the double product as well as in the cardiac index (p<0.05) as compared with overweight and obese children. However, no significant differences were observed on cardiovascular function between the types of exercise, among normal weight and overweight/obese children. These findings revealed that overweight and obese children have lower cardiovascular function as compared with normal weight children regardless of the type of exercise involved in a typical Physical Education course at school.