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Adolescents who were born extremely preterm demonstrate modest decreases in exercise capacity

Hege H Clemm1,2, Maria Vollsaeter1,2, Ola D Røksund1,3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 23, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Adolescents born extremely preterm showed modestly reduced exercise capacity, but most had normal values. Their pubertal changes and trainability were similar to term-born peers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
  • Adolescent Health

Background:

  • Extremely preterm birth can impact long-term health outcomes.
  • Exercise capacity is a key indicator of overall health and fitness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess exercise capacity in adolescents born extremely preterm.
  • To examine changes in exercise capacity through puberty.
  • To correlate exercise capacity with neonatal data, exercise habits, and lung function.

Main Methods:

  • A Norwegian population-based cohort study compared 35 extremely preterm infants with matched term-born controls.
  • Participants underwent spirometry and maximal cardiopulmonary treadmill exercise tests at ages 10 and 18.

Main Results:

  • At 18 years, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) and treadmill distance were modestly lower in the preterm group compared to controls.
  • Peak VO2 was not associated with neonatal factors or current lung function.
  • Both groups showed similar changes in exercise capacity between ages 10 and 18, with developing positive associations between exercise habits and peak VO2.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescents born extremely preterm have a modest reduction in exercise capacity, though values are generally within normal limits.
  • Exercise capacity changes during puberty and trainability appear similar to term-born individuals.
  • Findings suggest that extremely preterm adolescents can achieve similar fitness gains through exercise as their term-born peers.
Abstract

Keywords:
Aerobic exerciseBronchopulmonary dysplasiaPeak oxygen consumptionPhysical fitnessPremature

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