Lifelong Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Autonomic Function in Midlife

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Autonomic Nervous System Function
• Longitudinal Health Studies

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is known to influence cardiovascular autonomic function.
• The long-term impact of lifelong physical activity on autonomic function remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lifelong physical activity trajectories and cardiovascular autonomic function in midlife.
• To determine if this association differs between sexes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the prospective Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.
• Assessed vagally mediated heart rate variability (rMSSD) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in 46-year-old participants.
• Classified participants into lifelong PA groups (active, semiactive, inactive) based on self-reported activity at ages 14, 31, and 46.

Main Results:

• Both active and semiactive lifelong PA groups showed significantly greater rMSSD compared to the inactive group.
• The active group exhibited the highest baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).
• In men, these associations were not significant after adjusting for lifestyle and cardiometabolic factors, whereas in women, lifelong PA remained an independent predictor of rMSSD and BRS.

Conclusions:

• Higher lifelong physical activity is associated with enhanced cardiovascular autonomic function in midlife.
• The beneficial effects of lifelong PA on autonomic function are independent in women but appear mediated by lifestyle and cardiometabolic factors in men.