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Relationship between objectively measured physical activity and vascular structure and function in adults.
Manuel A Gomez-Marcos1, José I Recio-Rodríguez2, Maria C Patino-Alonso3
1Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Castilla and León Health Service-SACYL Salamanca, Spain; REDIAPP, IBSAL, Spain; Medicine Department, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Atherosclerosis
|April 19, 2014
Summary
Regular physical activity, measured by accelerometers, is inversely associated with central augmentation index (CAIx). Sedentary time is positively linked to CAIx, indicating its impact on vascular stiffness.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Vascular stiffness is a key indicator of cardiovascular risk.
- Objective assessment of physical activity is crucial for understanding its health impacts.
- The EVIDENT study provided a cohort for investigating lifestyle factors and cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between objectively measured physical activity and vascular structure/function.
- To determine how accelerometer-derived physical activity metrics relate to carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation indices.
- To explore the link between sedentary behavior and arterial stiffness.
Main Methods:
- Utilized accelerometer data (counts/minute) and 7-day physical activity recall (METs/hour/week) for 263 adults.
- Assessed vascular parameters including carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), central/peripheral augmentation index (CAIx/PAIx), and ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI).
- Employed multiple regression analysis to adjust for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Higher physical activity (counts/minute, moderate/vigorous time) showed an inverse association with CAIx and PAIx.
- Vigorous activity was inversely correlated with IMT, CAIx, and PAIx.
- Sedentary activity time was positively associated with CAIx.
Conclusions:
- Objectively measured physical activity, particularly moderate and vigorous intensity, is associated with lower central augmentation index (CAIx).
- Increased sedentary time is linked to higher CAIx, suggesting a detrimental effect on arterial stiffness.
- These findings highlight the importance of physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior for vascular health.
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