Effects of 8-week aerobic exercise on hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in 10-12 year-old obese children

Background/Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of 8-week aerobic exercise on hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in 10-12 year-old obese children. Methods: A total of 40 obese children volunteered in the study. Mean age and height of the children participating in the study was 11,40±0,68 years and 149,40±3,60 cm, respectively in the training group and 11,30±0,80 years and 149,20±3,55 cm , respectively in the control group. Run-walk exercise for 20-45 minutes, three days a week for 8 weeks targeted at 40-70% target heart rate was applied in the training group of obese children participating in the study. No statistically significant differences were found between pre-test and post-test body weight, body mass index, hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation values in the control group of obese children (p>0,05). On the contrary, statistically significant differences were found between the pre-test and post-test body weight, body mass index, hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation values in the experiment group of obese children (p<0,05). Results: In conclusion, regular physical activity can be suggested to have an important place in healthy development and growth of children and in the treatment of negative effects of respiratory system complications that develop in the metabolism as a result of obesity.