Each session started and ended with a low intensity 10-15min warm-up and cool-down period respectively, consisting of stretching exercises involving all major muscle groups. The core portion of the training session consisted of 11 strength exercises engaging the major muscle groups, i.e. bench press, shoulder press, leg extension, leg press, leg curl, abdominal crunch, low back extension, arm curl, elbow extension, seated row and lateral pull-down. For each exercise, the participants performed one set of 8-15 repetitions (total of ~ 20s duration) with resting periods of 1-2 min between exercises. The load was gradually increased as the strength of each child improved, i.e. from 20-30% of 6 repetition maximum (6RM) at the start of the program to 50-60% of 6RM at the end. Stretching exercises of the muscles involved in the previous exercises were performed during the rest periods (21).