The effect of taekwondo training on physical fitness and the allergic response factor of hypersensitive obese children

Background and Study Aim: Allergies can lead to the development of sleeping disorders and impede normal growth in children. Therefore, it is necessary to act on allergies by improving lifestyles through non-pharmacologic treatments. The aim of this study was knowledge about the effects of taekwondo training on physical fitness and allergic responses in obese male children with allergic diseases. Material and Methods: Fourteen children with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and with more than 20% body fat, aged 11.5 +/- 0.58 years, were randomly assigned to taekwondo training group (n = 7) and control group (n = 7). Taekwondo training was conducted 60 min a day, 5 days per week for 12 weeks. Body compositions, blood pressure, allergic response factor (IgE, IL-4, histamine) were measured. Physical fitness including muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, agility, isokinetic muscle function and cardiorespiratory fitness ware measured. Results: Taekwondo training significantly increased lean body mass (p<0.05), knee extension at 60 degrees/sec (p<0.01), knee extension at 180 degrees/sec (p<0.05), grip strength (p<.05), vertical jump (p<0.01), sit-up (p<0.05) and VO2max (p<0.01). IgE was decreased, and IL-4 (p<0.05) significantly was decreased in Taekwondo training group. Conclusions: Regular taekwondo training improved the body composition of all obese children with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, developed cardiovascular fitness and leg strength further, and reduced allergic responses, demonstrating that it is an effective method to improve allergic diseases of growing children with allergies.