Mediative role of body mass index in cardiorespiratory fitness-associated vascular remodeling in youth

  • Background Data on fitness-associated arterial remodeling in children is limited. We assessed the relation between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and intima-media thickness (IMT), diameter, IMT:diameter-ratio (IDR), and tensile stress of the common carotid artery (CCA) in 697 healthy German schoolchildren. Further, we explored how body mass index (BMI) may influence these associations. Methods We measured the vascular parameters with a high-resolution ultrasound device. We determined CRF using the FITNESSGRAM® PACER test and calculated each child’s allometrically scaled peak oxygen uptake capacity (VO2peak). Results VO2peak, reflecting CRF, showed positive direct effects on IMT (girls: p < 0.001; boys: p = 0.02) and diameter in girls (p < 0.001). Considering BMI as a mediator, higher CRF was indirectly linked to decreases in IMT (girls: p = 0.04; boys: p = 0.02) and diameter (both p < 0.001), reflecting a competitive mediation. CRF indirectly mitigated the BMI-associatedBackground Data on fitness-associated arterial remodeling in children is limited. We assessed the relation between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and intima-media thickness (IMT), diameter, IMT:diameter-ratio (IDR), and tensile stress of the common carotid artery (CCA) in 697 healthy German schoolchildren. Further, we explored how body mass index (BMI) may influence these associations. Methods We measured the vascular parameters with a high-resolution ultrasound device. We determined CRF using the FITNESSGRAM® PACER test and calculated each child’s allometrically scaled peak oxygen uptake capacity (VO2peak). Results VO2peak, reflecting CRF, showed positive direct effects on IMT (girls: p < 0.001; boys: p = 0.02) and diameter in girls (p < 0.001). Considering BMI as a mediator, higher CRF was indirectly linked to decreases in IMT (girls: p = 0.04; boys: p = 0.02) and diameter (both p < 0.001), reflecting a competitive mediation. CRF indirectly mitigated the BMI-associated decrease in IDR (both p < 0.001) and increase in tensile stress (both p < 0.001) without affecting any of these parameters directly. Conclusion CRF appears to be linked to uniform arterial remodeling with balanced hemodynamics and to further alleviate BMI-associated, potentially adverse vascular alterations, highlighting its significant role in cardiovascular health in youth. Impact Data on CRF-associated arterial remodeling in youth is limited. Higher VO2peak, reflecting higher CRF, was positively associated with IMT in girls and boys and diameter in girls. These direct effects were counteracted by the indirect BMI-mediated effect of CRF on IMT and diameter, reflecting a competitive mediation. A higher CRF indirectly mitigated the BMI-associated decrease in IDR and increase in tensile stress without directly affecting any of these parameters. Our findings indicate homogenous remodeling and balanced hemodynamics with increasing CRF—and opposite effects with increasing BMI.show moreshow less

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Metadaten
Author:Luisa Semmler, Lisa Baumgartner, Heidi Weberruß, Raphael Pirzer, Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz
Frontdoor URLhttps://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/117704
ISSN:0031-3998OPAC
ISSN:1530-0447OPAC
Parent Title (English):Pediatric Research
Publisher:Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type:Article
Language:English
Year of first Publication:2024
Publishing Institution:Universität Augsburg
Release Date:2024/12/18
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-024-03589-3
Institutes:Medizinische Fakultät
Medizinische Fakultät / Universitätsklinikum
Medizinische Fakultät / Lehrstuhl für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin
Dewey Decimal Classification:6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Latest Publications (not yet published in print):Aktuelle Publikationen (noch nicht gedruckt erschienen)
Licence (German):CC-BY 4.0: Creative Commons: Namensnennung (mit Print on Demand)