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The effect of intra-uterine growth restriction on blood lipids and response to exercise training
Jessica G Redmond1, Timothy B Gage, Melisa Kiyamu
1Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, 13244.
Insights
Small birth size (LOWPI) is linked to poorer blood lipid profiles in young adults. While exercise training improved some values, unfavorable lipid ratios persisted, indicating a potential long-term chronic disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Perinatal Studies
Background:
- Birth size, specifically ponderal index (PI), may influence long-term metabolic health.
- Understanding the impact of birth size on metabolic profiles in young adulthood is crucial for preventative health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between small birth size (low ponderal index) and metabolic profiles in young adults.
- To assess the response to aerobic exercise training in individuals with varying birth sizes.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six college students were categorized into high ponderal index (HIGHPI) and low ponderal index (LOWPI) groups based on PI-for-gestational age.
- Participants completed an 8-week aerobic exercise program.
- Blood lipid profiles were measured before and after the training intervention.
Main Results:
- The LOWPI group initially presented with higher total and LDL cholesterol compared to the HIGHPI group.
- Exercise training reduced these lipid levels in the LOWPI group, diminishing the initial group difference.
- Certain blood lipid ratios remained more favorable in the HIGHPI group post-training, and maternal smoking influenced some lipid values.
Conclusions:
- An 8-week exercise program partially improved blood lipid profiles in the LOWPI group but did not fully resolve all differences.
- Persistent unfavorable blood lipid ratios in the LOWPI group suggest an elevated long-term risk for chronic diseases, independent of lifestyle interventions.
Objectives:
To determine if a small body size at birth is associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile and a reduced response to exercise training in young adults.
Methods:
Thirty-six college students, all singletons born to term, participated. Subjects were defined as either high ponderal index (HIGHPI) or low ponderal index (LOWPI). LOWPI was defined as below the 10th percentile of the PI-for-gestational age distribution. HIGHPI was defined as greater than the 10th percentile. Subject groups were matched pair-wise on age, sex, BMI, and pretraining physical activity level. Subjects completed an 8-week aerobic exercise program. Pre- and post-training measurements included a blood lipid profile.
Results:
The LOWPI group, when compared to the HIGHPI group, exhibited higher total (183.6 mg dl(-1) vs. 150.9, P = 0.04) and LDL cholesterol (114.8 mg dl(-1) vs. 80.2, P = 0.019) values prior to exercise training. After training, these values decreased in the LOWPI group, eliminating the group difference. Various blood lipid ratios were more favorable for the HIGHPI group, both before and after training. The inclusion of maternal smoking as a covariate attenuated group differences for pretraining TChol, pre-training TG:HDL, and post-training HDL cholesterol.
Conclusions:
An 8-week exercise program corrected some, but not all, of the differences in blood lipid values between the LOWPI and HIGHPI group. The persistent group difference in blood lipid ratios suggests a higher long-term risk of chronic disease in the LOWPI group independent of lifestyle intervention.
