The effect of medicine ball games on muscular strength, V̇O2max and abdominal fat among overweight and obese netball players

Youth girls in South East Asia are eager to play netball at schools, however, a majority of them are overweight and obese with a poor fitness level. This study aimed to determine the effect of medicine ball games (MBG) on muscular strength and ?̇O2max as well as abdominal fat among overweight and obese netball players. Fifty overweight and obese volunteers (14-16years, BMI≥26.8kg.m-2 ) randomly divided into; MGB and control groups. Pre and post-test assessed muscular strength (Push-up), ??̇ 2max (Bleep-Test) and abdominal fat (WHR). MBG group completed 8 weeks MBG training program; three times/weekly, 60 minutes per session. Results showed a significant improvement in muscular strength (p= 0.001) and abdominal fat (p= 0.001) in MBG group, while no significant differences in ?̇O2max (p=0.69) observed between two groups. Therefore, various types of enjoyable MBG can strongly be suggested for overweight and obese netball players to enhance muscular strength and reduce abdominal fat mass. However, further studies are needed to investigate various type of MBG program on other physiological factors and body composition profile in this population.