The effects of a recreational soccer program (RSP) upon body composition, heart rate variability (HRV), biochemical markers, cardio-respiratory fitness, and endothelial function in obese adolescents were investigated. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted with 30 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years and body mass index (BMI) > 2 standard deviations of WHO reference values, which were assigned to RSP (n = 10, 2 girls) and obese control (n = 10, 4 girls) groups. The 12-week RSP included 60-min sessions performed 3 times/week. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, insulin, c-reactive protein, HRV, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were evaluated following standardised procedures. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and endothelial function by venous occlusion plethysmography. After intervention, RSP exhibited significant reductions in BMI (-0.7 +/- 0.2 kg/m2), waist circumference (-8.2 +/- 1.4 cm), % body fat (-2.2 +/- 0.4%), systolic blood pressure (-5.0 +/- 2.3 mmHg), total cholesterol (-16.2 +/- 5.8 mg/dL), triglycerides (-20.5 +/- 12.9 mg/dL), c-reactive protein (-0.06 +/- 0.01 mg/dL), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR -1.4 +/- 0.6), and sympathetic activity (LF -13.9 +/- 6.6 un) versus controls (p < 0.05). Significant increase was observed in parasympathetic activity (HF 13.9 +/- 6.6 un), VO2peak (7.9 +/- 2.8 ml/kg/min), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (11.0 +/- 6.3 mg/dL) (p < 0.05). Vascular conductance (19.5 +/- 8.1 ml/min/100 ml, p = 0.005) increased and vascular resistance (-5.9 +/- 2.4 ml/min/100 ml, p = 0.041) decreased in RSP, but not in controls. A 12-week recreational soccer intervention was effective to improve biochemical, cardiovascular, and fitness health markers in obese adolescents.

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