Accelerometer-measured Physical Activity, Reproductive Hormones, and DNA Methylation

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Limited research exists on the link between physical activity, reproductive hormones, DNA methylation, and pubertal status in adolescents.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for adolescent health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between daily physical activity levels and reproductive hormones (testosterone, cortisol, progesterone, androstenedione).
• To examine the association of physical activity with DNA methylation patterns in key genes (LINE-1, H19, HSD11B2, PPARA).
• To explore the connection between physical activity and pubertal status (Tanner stages) in adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized wrist-worn accelerometers to measure daily physical activity in 248 boys and 271 girls over 7 days.
• Employed an isotemporal substitution paradigm and sex-stratified regression models to analyze associations.
• Measured hormone concentrations and DNA methylation from blood leukocytes, adjusting for age, BMI, and socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

• In boys, increased moderate physical activity correlated with lower testosterone and higher progesterone.
• In girls, increased sedentary behavior was linked to lower testosterone and higher progesterone.
• Vigorous physical activity in boys was associated with significantly higher HSD11B2 DNA methylation.

Conclusions:

• Accelerometer-measured physical activity is associated with reproductive hormones and HSD11B2 DNA methylation in adolescents.
• These associations are sex-specific and depend on the intensity of physical activity.