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A 12-week after-school physical activity programme improves endothelial cell function in overweight and obese
Jong-Hwan Park1, Masashi Miyashita, Yoo-Chan Kwon
1Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1192, Japan.
BMC Pediatrics
|August 2, 2012
Summary
An after-school exercise program significantly increased endothelial progenitor cells in overweight and obese children. This intervention improved vascular repair and cardiovascular health markers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is linked to endothelial dysfunction and altered endothelial progenitor cells.
- The impact of after-school exercise on endothelial progenitor cells in obese children is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a 12-week after-school exercise program on endothelial progenitor cells and vascular health in overweight and obese children.
Main Methods:
- 29 overweight/obese children participated in a 12-week program of combined aerobic and resistance exercise (3 days/week).
- Flow cytometry measured CD34+, CD133+, and CD34+/CD133+ (endothelial progenitor cells) at baseline and post-intervention.
- Carotid intima-media thickness was assessed to evaluate vascular changes.
Main Results:
- The exercise group showed significant increases in CD34+, CD133+, and CD34+/CD133+ cells compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
- Carotid intima-media thickness decreased significantly in the exercise group post-intervention (p = 0.020).
Conclusions:
- A combined after-school exercise program may improve vascular repair and endothelial cell function in overweight and obese children.
- This intervention shows potential for enhancing cardiovascular health in pediatric populations with obesity.
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