Introduction:

there is growing evidence of concern for values in terms of physical condition and body composition that place school children being at risk in physical health. Numerous investigations relate physical activity with improvement in physical condition and body composition.

Objective:

to analyze the effects of a sub-maximal intensity interval exercise program on physical condition (upper body isometric strength in both hands, lower body explosive strength, velocity-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness) and body composition (body mass index, % of body fat, waist circumference and waist/height index), all of them related to health, in schoolchildren of 11 and 12 years.

Methods:

an intervention was developed in which an experimental group participated and another control group with 28 schoolchildren each. The study developped over 8 weeks, with sessions of total 30 minutes before the start of the academic activity 3 days per week. Different intervallic games were made with motor, cognitive and coordination challenges; with a moderate-vigorous intensity (70 %-80 % of maximum heart rate). The registration in physical condition and body composition was made through the ALPHA Battery.

Results:

significant improvements in isometric strength in both hands and a reduction in waist circumference and waist/height were found.

Conclusions:

the results show significant improvements in indicators of fitness and fatness, however, it requires a long-term intervention to know if the other improvements achieved in the analyzed indicators are significant over time.

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