TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Soccer training programme improved the body composition of pre-adolescent boys and increased their satisfaction with their body image
JO  - Acta paediatrica
A1  - Gualdi-Russo, Emanuela
A1  - Zaccagni, Luciana
A1  - Rinaldo, Natascia
SP  - e492
EP  - 5
VL  - 105
IS  - 10
N2  - It is recognised that physical activity improves nutritional status and body image perception and reduces the risk of disease and body dissatisfaction (1-2). Although the relationship between physical activity and body composition and body image perception have been extensively investigated in adults, few studies on the effects of specific sporting activities on children or adolescents have so far been reported and those that have been carried out have reported contradictory results (1). Our study had two aims. Firstly we wanted to gain a better understanding of the body composition and body image perception of 60 pre-adolescent boys by carrying out an evaluation of their anthropometric characteristics and body image perception before and after a 12-week soccer (football) training programme. Secondly we were keen to analyse any possible differences between age groups by looking at 24 boys of nine years of age and 36 boys of 10 years of age. All the children who attended two soccer schools for four hours per week volunteered to participate in the study. They were all born in the province of Ferrara in Northern Italy. Written, informed consent was obtained from their parents and the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ferrara University. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<br><br>This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0803-5253
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apa.13478
ID  - ref1
ER  -