Aerobic capacity and exercise performance in young people born extremely preterm

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Physiology
• Neonatal Follow-up Studies
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment

Background:

• Extremely preterm birth (gestational age ≤28 weeks or birth weight ≤1000 g) presents significant health challenges.
• Long-term outcomes regarding aerobic capacity and exercise performance in extremely preterm individuals require further investigation.
• Understanding potential cohort effects across different birth decades is crucial for tracking developmental trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare aerobic capacity and exercise performance between extremely preterm-born and term-born children and adolescents.
• To examine the relationship between medical history, lifestyle factors, and exercise outcomes.
• To assess potential cohort effects by analyzing subjects born in different decades.

Main Methods:

• Utilized standardized maximal treadmill exercise and pulmonary function tests for assessment.
• Compared two cohorts of extremely preterm subjects (born 1982-1985 and 1991-1992) with matched term-born controls.
• Collected background data through questionnaires and medical records.

Main Results:

• Aerobic capacity measures were similar between preterm and term-born groups; running distance was modestly reduced in the preterm group.
• Leisure-time physical activity positively influenced exercise capacity in both groups, though participation was lower in preterm individuals.
• Neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia and current lung function did not correlate with exercise capacity; differences between groups remained consistent over two decades.

Conclusions:

• Individuals born extremely preterm can achieve normal exercise capacity despite a high-risk start.
• The response to physical training appears comparable between preterm-born and term-born individuals.
• Long-term follow-up and lifestyle interventions remain important for optimizing health outcomes in preterm survivors.