Long-Term Estimated Physical Activity Patterns From Youth to Middle Age and Left Ventricular Structure and Function:...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Long-term effects of physical activity (PA) variability and cumulative PA (CPA) on cardiac remodeling are debated.
• Uncertainty exists whether these effects mirror those in elite athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between 30-year physical activity (PA) patterns (cumulative PA and variability) and cardiac remodeling in midlife.
• To determine if high CPA, irrespective of PA variability, influences cardiac structure.

Main Methods:

• 1465 participants' PA data collected over 30 years via CARDIA questionnaire.
• Cardiac structure and function assessed by echocardiography at year 30.
• Cumulative PA (CPA) and PA variability (ARVPA) calculated; participants grouped by PA patterns.

Main Results:

• Sustained high CPA associated with lower hypertension and diabetes incidence.
• High CPA and high PA variability linked to increased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension index.
• High CPA and high PA variability also associated with increased left ventricular mass index and left atrial volume index.

Conclusions:

• High cumulative physical activity (CPA), even with significant variability, is linked to cardiac structural alterations in midlife.
• Findings suggest PA patterns influence long-term cardiac remodeling.