‘Effects of vigorous activity in youth’
Title | Vigorous physical activity and longitudinal associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in youth |
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Authors | Carson et al. |
Journal | International Journal of Obesity |
Impact Factor | 5.004 |
Web Link | Click here |
Year | 2014 |
Why they did it?
Daily physical activity (PA) is a well-recognised foundation of optimal health in children and youth. Increasing time spent in moderate- to vigorous aerobic PA (MVPA) is associated with a decreased risk for several cardiometabolic risk factors, such as waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and triglycerides. Thus many countries and organizations have developed PA guidelines recommending that children and youth engage in at least 60 minutes of MVPA per day. The aim of this study is to examine the longitudinal associations between different PA intensities and cardiometabolic risk factors among a sample of Canadian youth.
How they did it?
In this 2-year prospective cohort study, different PA intensities (light, moderate and vigorous) were objectively measured using accelerometers in a sample of 315 Canadian youth aged 9-15 years. Main outcome measures were body mass index (BMI) z-score (change in BMI status), waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness and systolic blood pressure at 2-year-follow-up. Regression modelling of results was performed to investigate the associations after adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, waist circumference).
What they found?
At the follow-up period cardiorespiratory fitness significantly increased (both boys and girls), waist circumference (only in boys) and systolic blood pressure (only in boys) both significantly decreased in a dose-response manner across quartiles of baseline vigorous-intensity PA. BMI z-scores were significantly lower in quartile 2 and 3 in participants engaging in vigorous-intensity PA. Among those who maintained a high level of vigorous-intensity PA, waist circumference significantly decreased during the study period (average = -1.5 cm).
Ok, what does this mean to me?
Time spent in vigorous-intensity PA was associated with several positive health outcomes 2 years later in the study population. A reduction in cardiometabolic risk factors such as waist circumference, systolic blood pressure was shown in youth who regularly engage in vigorous-intensity PA. These findings suggest that high-intensity activities in youth may help to reduce the risk for several chronic diseases later in life. Parents, school teachers and fitness personnel should actively encourage youth to participate in regular MVPA for health benefits, and which will hopefully translate into positive health behaviours in later life.
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