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Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
The accumulation of exercise and postprandial endothelial function in boys
M J Sedgwick1, J G Morris, M E Nevill
1Institute of Youth Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|August 16, 2013
Summary
Accumulating 60 minutes of exercise negates the negative impact of high-fat meals on adolescent endothelial function. This study highlights the health benefits of physical activity for teenagers.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- High-fat meals can impair endothelial function and alter triacylglycerol concentrations.
- Adolescence is a critical period for establishing lifelong health behaviors.
- Accumulating physical activity may offer protective cardiovascular benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of accumulated exercise on endothelial function and triacylglycerol levels in adolescent boys after consuming high-fat meals.
- To determine if 60 minutes of exercise can mitigate the adverse effects of a high-fat diet.
Main Methods:
- A counter-balanced, cross-over design involving 14 adolescent boys (12-14 years).
- Two 2-day trials: a control (inactive) and an exercise trial (60 minutes of intermittent running).
- Measurement of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and triacylglycerol concentrations before and after high-fat breakfast and lunch meals on day 2.
Main Results:
- Consumption of high-fat meals significantly reduced FMD by 30-33% in the control trial.
- Accumulated exercise completely negated the decline in FMD following high-fat meals (P=0.002).
- Exercise tended to reduce triacylglycerol concentrations, but differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Accumulating 60 minutes of exercise effectively preserves endothelial function in adolescents after high-fat meal consumption.
- Physical activity is a viable strategy to counteract the acute negative cardiovascular effects of dietary fat intake in youth.
- These findings support public health recommendations for physical activity accumulation in adolescents.
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