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Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(02): 89-96
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-118850
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cardiac Autonomic Function, Cardiovascular Risk and Physical Activity in Adolescents

Ricardo S. Oliveira
1   Children's Health & Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Alan R. Barker
1   Children's Health & Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Craig Anthony Williams
1   Children's Health & Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 13 August 2017

Publication Date:
23 November 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate in adolescents: 1) the relationships of physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to traditional CVD risk factors, rest and recovery autonomic function; and 2) whether autonomic function strengthens the associations between PA, CRF and CVD risk. Fifty-four (22 girls) adolescents had traditional CVD risk factors, rest and recovery autonomic function evaluated. CRF was measured using a steep ramp cycle test and PA was assessed with accelerometers. Resting HRV (and RMSSD30) and heart rate recovery (T30, HHRτ) were used. Clustered traditional (CVDRtrad) and autonomic (CVDRauto) risk scores were created and added to form a composite clustered CVD risk score (CVDRcom). PA and CRF were significantly and negatively associated with traditional CVD risk factors. Moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) were positively related to resting RMSSD, and negatively related to T30 and HHRτ (all P<0.05). RMSSD30 recovered faster in the high compared to low median split for VPA. Stronger associations for CVDRcom compared to CVDRtrad were observed for MPA (CVDRcom: r2=0.32, P=<0.001; CVDRtrad: r2=0.17, P=0.002), and VPA (CVDRcom: r2=0.18, P=0.001; CVDRtrad: r2=0.06, P=0.08). These findings strengthen the proposed additional beneficial effects of PA on autonomic function above traditional CVD risk factors.

Key words

cardiovascular disease - heart rate variability - CVD risk factors - risk factor gap
 

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