Plyometric Exercises as intervention on Metabolic Health, Motor, Performance and Postural Control in Obese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Background:

Childhood obesity is a growing global concern, linked to reduced physical fitness, poor postural control and metabolic abnormalities. Engaging in physical activity combined with dietary modifications has been proven effective in managing obesity. Among various exercise interventions, plyometric training has shown promise in improving these parameters. However, its full impact on childhood obesity and overall physical function remains underexplored.

Objective: to explore effects of plyometric exercise on metabolic health, motor performance and Postural Control in Obese Children and Adolescents

Methods: A literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and experimental studies published from 2014 was conducted to examine the effects of plyometric exercise on obese children and adolescents. Using keywords such as plyometric exercise, childhood obesity, postural control, foot posture, metabolic health, cardiovascular function, and motor performance, seven studies were selected based on the inclusion of overweight and obese participants aged 7–16 years. Interventions involved plyometric training alone or combined with other exercise modalities, with outcomes assessing postural control, metabolic health, cardiovascular function, motor performance, and inflammatory responses. Data extraction included sample size, intervention duration, exercise protocols, and key findings.

Results:

Plyometric exercises offer significant health benefits for obese children and adolescents across multiple domains. It reduces BMI, enhances postural stability, functional mobility, and foot posture in children with flexible flatfeet. Additionally, plyometric training leads to greater reductions in plasma glucose, insulin resistance, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio, along with significant decreases in blood pressure, resting heart rate, and skinfold thickness. Improvements in muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, agility, and motor coordination have also been observed in overweight boys. These findings highlight the role of plyometric exercises in enhancing musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, and motor health in obese children.