The Medical College of Georgia PLAY Project: Exercise Dose and Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Children

The study is a behavioral clinical trial of aerobic exercise to determine dose-response effects on risk for type 2 diabetes, fatness, fitness, blood cholesterol levels, and other cardiovascular risk factors in overweight elementary schoolchildren. The hypothesis is that the more exercise a child does, the more benefit he or she will gain in reducing the risk of diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. An ancillary study examined effects on cognition and achievement.

The study is a behavioral clinical trial of aerobic exercise to determine dose-response effects on insulin response to the oral glucose tolerance test, body composition, fitness, lipid profile, inflammation and other metabolic syndrome components in overweight elementary schoolchildren. Blinded psychological assessments of cognition and achievement were obtained.

prevention, children, diabetes, overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, exercise, insulin resistance, female, male, black, African-American, white, Caucasian, cognition, executive function

Children were not provided with an after-school exercise intervention. They were free to do their usual activities. Families were offered a monthly healthy lifestyle class.

This group was assigned to receive a 20 min/day aerobic exercise program offered 5 days/week after school. Families were offered a monthly healthy lifestyle class.

This group was assigned to receive a 40 min/day aerobic exercise program offered 5 days/week after school. Families were offered a monthly healthy lifestyle class.

Vigorous intermittent physical activity in group format conducted in research gymnasium after school by research staff. Heart rate monitors documented each child's average heart rate on a daily basis. Small incentives were offered for achieving goal of >150 bpm average HR each day and attending at least 80% of sessions (4 days/week).

Inclusion Criteria: Overweight, sedentary children Black or white race Attending specific schools in Augusta, GA area from which this study is recruiting Exclusion Criteria: Unable to participate in testing or vigorous exercise program Diabetes Taking medication that would affect study results Sibling enrolled in project

Davis CL, Tkacz J, Gregoski M, Boyle CA, Lovrekovic G. Aerobic exercise and snoring in overweight children: a randomized controlled trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006 Nov;14(11):1985-91. doi: 10.1038/oby.2006.232.

Davis CL, Tomporowski PD, Boyle CA, Waller JL, Miller PH, Naglieri JA, Gregoski M. Effects of aerobic exercise on overweight children's cognitive functioning: a randomized controlled trial. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2007 Dec;78(5):510-9. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2007.10599450.

Tomporowski PD, Davis CL, Miller PH, Naglieri JA. Exercise and Children's Intelligence, Cognition, and Academic Achievement. Educ Psychol Rev. 2008 Jun 1;20(2):111-131. doi: 10.1007/s10648-007-9057-0.

Davis CL, Pollock NK, Waller JL, Allison JD, Dennis BA, Bassali R, Melendez A, Boyle CA, Gower BA. Exercise dose and diabetes risk in overweight and obese children: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2012 Sep 19;308(11):1103-12. doi: 10.1001/2012.jama.10762.