“Our study has shown that the increase in moderate and vigorous levels of physical activity was linked to more elastic arteries and a better dilation capacity,” said Dr. Eero Haapala from the Faculty of Sport Sciences and the Health at the University of Jyvaskyla.
Higher levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity can help reduce the stiffening of arterials already in childhood, according to a recent Finnish study. However, sedentary time or aerobic fitness was also not linked to arterial health.
The results, based on physical activity and the ongoing nutrition of the Children’s (panic) study, conducted at the Eastern University of Finland, were published in the Journal of Sports Sciences.
The study was done in collaboration between researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla, the University of Eastern Finland, Norwegian Science Sciences and the University of Cambridge.
The reinforced arteries are one of the first signs of increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and stiffening arteries have been observed even in children. High levels of physical activity, a reduction in sedentary time and good physical condition are the basis for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, but it is not known about their role in promoting arterial health in the primary school children.
“Our study has shown that the increase in moderate and vigorous levels of physical activity was linked to more elastic arteries and a better dilation capacity,” said Dr. Eero Haapala from the Faculty of Sport Sciences and the Health at the University of Jyvaskyla.
“However, our results also suggest that the positive effects of moderate and vigorous physical activity on arterial health are partially explained by their positive effects on body composition,” said Dr. Haapala.
The researchers found the healthiest arteries in children with the highest levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity, but similar associations were not observed with sedentary activity or light intensity activity.
“The key message of our study is that when childhood, intense and vigorous physical activity is central in the prevention of cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Haapala.
Dr. Haapala added: “However, it should be recalled that each step is important because the reduction in sedentary time and the increase in light physical activity presents various health effects, even if they may not Being no direct effects on the arteries. “
The study investigated the association of physical activity, sedentary time and aerobic fitness and the evolution of the two-year life with a blood stiffness and a capacity for dilation in 245 children aged 6 At age 8 at the beginning of the study.
Physical activity was measured using a heart rate and a combined motion monitor and arterial rigidity and expansion capacity using a pulse contour analysis. The body composition was measured using a DXA device.
