Small-sided soccer in school reduces postprandial lipaemia in adolescent boys

Purpose: While laboratory based moderate- to high-intensity exercise reduces postprandial lipaemia in adolescents this exercise differs to the free-living physical activities in which young people typically engage. This study compared the effect of free-living afterschool soccer activity and treadmill exercise on in-school postprandial lipaemia in adolescent boys. Methods: Fifteen boys (12.6 (0.5) years) completed three, 2-day experimental trials. On Day 1, participants either: rested (CON); exercised for 48 min on a treadmill at 60% peak V̇ O2 (TM); played 48 min of 5-a-side soccer (SOC). On Day 2, participants attended school where a capillary blood sample determined fasting triacylglycerol ([TAG]) and glucose ([glucose]) concentrations. Participants then consumed a standardised breakfast (0 h) and lunch (4.5 h) and blood samples were taken postprandially at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.0 h. Results: Reductions in fasting [TAG] were small-moderate after TM (-16%, 95% CI = -27 to -2%, ES = 0.46), but large after SOC (-30%, 95% CI = -40 to -20%, ES = 1.00) compared with CON; the concentration was also lower in SOC compared with TM (-18%, 95% CI = -29 to -5%, ES = 0.53). Based on ratios of geometric means, the area under the TAG versus time curve was 18% lower after TM (95% CI = -29 to -5%, ES = 0.51) and 25% lower after SOC (95% CI = -35 to -13%, ES = 0.76,) compared with CON. In contrast, SOC and TM were not significantly different (-9%, 95% CI = -21 to 5%, ES = 0.25). Conclusion: Compared with duration-matched inactivity (CON), after-school smallsided soccer (SOC) and treadmill exercise (TM) resulted in a similar, moderate reduction of postprandial lipaemia in adolescent boys.