Exercise capacity after extremely preterm birth. Development from adolescence to adulthood.
Hege H Clemm1, Maria Vollsæter, Ola D Røksund
11 Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society
|February 8, 2014
Summary
Adults born extremely preterm (EP) show modestly reduced exercise capacity, but values remain within normal ranges. Physical activity levels positively correlate with fitness, independent of neonatal factors.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Extremely preterm (EP) birth is linked to adverse health outcomes, potentially mitigated by physical fitness.
- EP-born individuals exhibit lower physical activity levels compared to term-born peers.
- Longitudinal data on exercise capacity in EP-born adults are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare exercise capacity in adults born extremely preterm (EP) versus term-born individuals.
- To analyze developmental trends in exercise capacity from adolescence to adulthood.
- To identify factors influencing exercise capacity in EP-born adults.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving adults born EP (gestational age ≤28 weeks or birth weight ≤1000 g) and matched term-born controls.
- Participants were assessed at 18 and 25 years of age using maximal cardiopulmonary treadmill exercise tests.
- Validated questionnaires assessed physical activity and other relevant factors.
Main Results:
- Exercise capacity, measured by peak oxygen consumption and treadmill distance, was modestly reduced in EP-born adults at age 25.
- Peak oxygen consumption was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity and negatively with age.
- Exercise capacity at age 25 strongly correlated with values at age 18 and remained within normal ranges.
Conclusions:
- Adults born EP demonstrate a modest reduction in exercise capacity, yet values fall within the normal range.
- Self-reported physical activity is a key determinant of exercise capacity in this population.
- Neonatal factors and current airway obstruction did not significantly impact exercise capacity.
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