The impact of recreational beach tennis associated with nutritional counseling on cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether combining nutritional counseling with recreational sports confers greater improvements in cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents compared to recreational sports alone.

Subjects and methods: This 12-week randomized clinical trial included 40 adolescents (aged 11-14 years; 67% female; 45% overweight/obese) randomly assigned to a beach tennis (BT, n = 20) or BT plus nutrition counseling (BT+N, n = 20) group. Sports sessions (BT) were performed twice a week and nutritional counseling (BT+N) once a week. Outcomes assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks included biochemical parameters (high- and low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol; triglycerides; fasting glucose; and insulin), blood pressure, and body composition. Analyses were performed following the intention-to-treat principle.

Results: Both groups showed significantly higher high-density lipoprotein levels (BT: +3.8 mg/dL, p < 0.05; BT+N: +5.9 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and no differences between groups. Fasting glucose decreased only in the BT+N group. Time x group interactions significantly differed between groups for triglycerides (p < 0.01), waist circumference (p < 0.001), body fat percentage (p < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), favoring the BT+N group. No significant changes were observed in low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, or insulin levels.

Conclusion: Recreational BT alone improved some cardiometabolic parameters; however, its combination with nutritional counseling provided broader benefits, underscoring the value of integrated lifestyle interventions for reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents.