Article

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 microm/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 microm/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 x 10(3) 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.
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Langue : ANGLAIS