Relationship between body composition and vertical ground reaction forces in obese children when walking.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is now a serious worldwide challenge, especially in children. This condition can cause a number of different health problems, including musculoskeletal disorders, some of which are due to mechanical stress caused by excess body weight. The aim of this study was to determine the association between body composition and the vertical ground reaction force produced during walking in obese children.


METHODS
Sixteen children participated in the study, six females and ten males [11.5 (1.2) years old, 69.8 (15.5) kg, 1.56 (0.09) m, and 28.36 (3.74) kg/m2 of body mass index (BMI)]. Total weight, lean mass and fat mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and vertical forces while walking were obtained by a force platform. The vertical force variables analysed were impact and propulsive forces, and the rate of development of both. Multiple regression models for each vertical force parameter were calculated using the body composition variables as input.


FINDINGS
The impact force regression model was found to be positively related to the weight of obese children and negatively related to lean mass. The regression model showed lean mass was positively related to the propulsive rate. Finally, regression models for impact and propulsive force showed a direct relationship with body weight.


INTERPRETATION
Impact force is positively related to the weight of obese children, but lean mass helps to reduce the impact force in this population. Exercise could help obese persons to reduce their total body weight and increase their lean mass, thus reducing impact forces during sports and other activities.
['Villarrasa-Sapiña|Israel|I|', 'Serra-Añó|Pilar|P|', 'Pardo-Ibáñez|Alberto|A|', 'Gonzalez|Luis-Millán|LM|', 'García-Massó|Xavier|X|']
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon D001823:Body Composition D015992:Body Mass Index D001835:Body Weight D002648:Child D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D063766:Pediatric Obesity D016138:Walking
Vertical ground reaction forces Lean mass Impact force Child obesity