Purpose: Physical condition and posture are related to bio-psychological health. Overweight in the children is also associated with musculoskeletal deformities. The current study aimed to compare the effect of conducting an 8-week of selected football activities and corrective exercises on postural deformities, the factors of physical readiness, and body composition in three male groups, including children, teenagers, and youth.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 60 male students were selected through stratified simple random sampling method and divided into the groups of children (n=20, Mean±SD age=12.25±0.78 y), teenagers (n=20, Mean±SD age=14.30±0.65 y), and youth (n=20, Mean±SD age=16.40±0.50 y). Using a chessboard, flexible ruler and the New York test, the subjects’ personal characteristics were investigated. The program of selected exercises included an 8 weeks of three sessions of 45-60 minutes with an intensity of 60% to 70% of the heart rate reserve. To compare the intragroup and intergroup mean scores, Student’s t-test and the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used.
Results: The obtained results suggested that body weight, waist, and hip circumference significantly decreased in all three groups. However, body mass index significantly decreased in children and youth. Physical readiness, cardiorespiratory endurance, anaerobic power, agility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength were statistically significant in all groups. Speed significantly improved in children and teenagers. Postural deformities, forward head posture, kyphosis, lordosis, and Genu Varum improved in all study groups.
Conclusion: An eight weeks of selected football activities and corrective exercises improved the performance of physical motor fitness, body composition, and postural deformities in all study groups.