Effect of physical activity on vascular characteristics in young children

Nikmah Salamia Idris, Annemieke M.V. Evelein, Caroline C. Geerts, Sudigdo Sastroasmoro, Diederick E. Grobbee, Cuno S.P.M. Uiterwaal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Physical activity has long been proposed as an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor in adults. We assessed whether physical activity already has an effect on childhood vasculature. Methods: In the Wheezing-Illnesses-Study-in-Leidsche-Rijn birth cohort, we performed vascular ultrasound to measure carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and functional properties (distensibility, elastic modulus) at 5 and 8 years of age. Child typical physical activities were inquired using a questionnaire completed by parents. Linear regression was used with physical activity level, expressed as a standardized value of time-weighted metabolic equivalent (MET) as the independent variable and vascular properties as dependent variables with further confounder adjustment and evaluation for possible body mass index and sex effect modifications. Results: In 595 5-year-old children and in 237 of those who had reached the age of 8 years, we did not find statistically significant associations between total time-weighted MET and each vascular parameter, neither in pooled nor stratified analysis. However, sport activities were associated with thinner cIMT (-3.20 mm/SD, 95% CI-6.34,-0.22, p=0.04) at 5 years of age; a similar pattern was seen for organized sport. This effect was strongest in children in the highest body mass index tertile (-5.38 mm/SD, 95% CI-10.54,-0.19, p=0.04). At the age of 8 years, higher sport level tended to be associated with higher vascular distensibility (2.64-103 kPa/SD, 95% CI-0.18, 5.45, p=0.07) although this was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Sport activity may have beneficial effects on arteries of young children, particularly those with higher relative body weight.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)656-664
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology
Volume22
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2015

Keywords

  • Carotid intima-media thickness
  • child
  • physical activity
  • vascular stiffness

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