TITLE:
Impact of the Traditional Game “Otsongui” (Apnea) on Spirometric and Cardiovascular Parameters, and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese School Children
AUTHORS:
Yvon Rock Ghislain Alongo, Simplice Innocent Moussouami, Kiel Itoua Oniangue Assoba, Gonel Osy Ambomo Inongo, Chelmy Ibata Ondze, Raoul Ampa
KEYWORDS:
“Otsongui” Game, Spirometry, Body Composition, Endurance
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: Otsongui “apnea game” is practiced in an extracurricular context on the health of overweight and obese schoolchildren. The experiment was based on a 12-week program applied to a sample of 60 overweight and obese students (mean age: 18 years), randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), each composed of 30 participants. Assessments were carried out on spirometric, cardiovascular, and body composition parameters, using a spirometer, the modified Luc Léger test, and an impedance meter. The results reveal significant improvements in the students of the experimental group: reduction in BMI (29.43 ± 1.18 vs 27.44 ± 0.17), respiratory function (FEV1: 75.90 ± 3.42 vs 84.90 ± 3.42; FEF75: 0.71 ± 0.39 vs 1.22 ± 0.39), improvement in time in the specific apnea test (58.01 ± 0.07 vs 72.20 ± 0.08), increase in VO2max (24.48 ± 3.15 vs 38.46 ± 3.12) and improvement in body composition (increase in muscle mass, decrease in fat mass, and improvement in water mass). These results highlight the value of traditional aquatic physical activities, such as the “otsongui” game, in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and combating a sedentary lifestyle among young people. It is therefore recommended to encourage their practice in an educational or family setting.