ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH12
INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviours (SB), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are key determinants of cardiovascular health in adolescents. Whilst studies have associated these modifiable lifestyle factors with peripheral blood pressure, estimates of central blood pressure, augmentation index (AIx), and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) provide additional insight into the vascular health. Adolescence represents a critical developmental stage for the establishment of lifelong health behaviours, and the inclusion of central measures may help improve understanding of how modifiable lifestyle factors relate to cardiovascular health. As such we examined the relationships between estimates of peripheral and central blood pressure, PA, sedentary behaviour, and CRF in adolescents. METHODS: Thirty-one school-going adolescents (7 males, 24 females; 11–16 years) with no known medical conditions completed assessments of CRF, strength and cardiovascular health. PA and sedentary behaviour were measured using activPAL accelerometers worn continuously for six days, capturing stepping metrics, PA intensity (light, moderate, vigorous), total sedentary time, and sedentary bout duration. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using the validated 3-minute Kasch Pulse Recovery Step Test [1]. Cardiovascular health was assessed using pulse wave analyses (PWA) (SphygmoCor Xcel), providing measures of peripheral and central blood pressure, AIx, AIx normalised to 75 bpm (AIx@75), SEVR, and resting heart rate. RESULTS: Following adjustment for BMI, Age and Tanner Scale, higher PA levels were associated with lower: central blood pressure (β = −1.38), lAIx (β = −1.16), heart rate (β = −2.93), and higher SEVR (all p < 0.05). Further, increased sedentary behaviours were associated with higher peripheral systolic blood pressure (β = 1.02, p = 0.022), higher resting heart rate (β = 3.26, p = 0.003), and lower (worse) SEVR (β = −5.73, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Higher PA and SB are independently associated with more favourable central and peripheral markers of vascular health in adolescents. These findings demonstrate the value of incorporating central measures, which remain under-explored in adolescents, to enhance understanding of how movement behaviours relate to cardiovascular health beyond traditional peripheral blood pressure assessments. [1] Gupta P et al. (2023)
Read CV Kirsten WingECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH12
INTRODUCTION: Physical exercise can induce coordinated molecular adaptations across multiple tissues, including skeletal muscle. Preliminary salivary proteomic analyses that we performed in 39 school-aged children showed that several skeletal muscle-associated proteins (i.e., SPEG, PFKM, AK1, SEMA7A, MYH13) could be identified within enriched muscle-related networks following integrative neuromuscular training (INT). The present study aims to validate selected protein candidates using targeted immunoassays in an independent paediatric cohort and explore associations with anthropometric, functional and cardiovascular parameters. METHODS: Saliva samples were collected from school children (age 7.4 ± 0.4) participating in a 7-month structured INT programme (n = 10) or a control group following standard physical education classes (CON; n = 10). Based on preliminary findings, biological relevance, and assay feasibility, three proteins were selected for validation: 6-phosphofructokinase muscle type (PFKM), adenylate kinase 1 (AK1), and striated muscle preferentially expressed protein kinase (SPEG). Salivary protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models with time (pre, post), group (INT, CON), and their interaction as fixed effects, and subject as a random intercept. Correlation analyses were performed to explore associations between changes in protein concentrations and the studied parameters. Statistical analyses were performed using R Statistical Software (v4.4.1; R Core Team 2024). RESULTS: PFKM was consistently detectable, whereas AK1 and SPEG were only measurable in a subset of samples, precluding statistical analysis. PFKM significantly increased within the INT group (p < .001), showing higher concentrations compared with CON (p < .004); however, the time x group interaction was not statistically significant (p = .150). No significant associations were observed between changes in PFKM and BMI, muscle mass, motor competence, grip strength, resting heart rate, or blood pressure, in either the INT or CON group. CONCLUSION: This study extends previous findings by examining the feasibility of targeted validation of skeletal muscle-associated proteins in saliva samples of children. PFKM was consistently detectable by ELISA and showed a within-group responsiveness following neuromuscular training. However, the absence of a significant interaction and lack of associations with functional or health parameters highlights the complexity of validating skeletal muscle-related proteins in saliva. These findings emphasise the need for larger samples and methodological refinement when exploring salivary proteins as potential markers of exercise-related molecular adaptations in paediatric populations. Future studies incorporating more proximal indicators of exercise intensity, metabolic demand and training load may help capture the specific metabolic processes reflected by PFKM and clarify potential associations.
Read CV Anna Ferrusola-PastranaECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH12
INTRODUCTION: Preadolescence is a critical window for cognitive development, marked by rapid prefrontal cortex maturation, supporting executive functions such as attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility [1,2]. Although physical activity (PA) has been consistently associated with cognitive benefits, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Beyond exercise-induced neuroplasticity, cardiovascular (CV) adaptations, such as enhanced cerebral blood flow and vascular function, have been proposed as potential contributors, yet their mediating role in children is still uncertain [3]. This cross-sectional study examined the associations between PA, CV health indicators and executive functions in prepubertal children. It further investigated whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) mediate the relationship between PA and cognitive performance. METHODS: Seventy-four healthy children (9.5 ± 0.9 years) were recruited from two elementary schools. PA and sedentary behavior were objectively measured with accelerometers over seven consecutive days. CV health was assessed via estimated CRF from the 20-meter shuttle run test and resting SBP after a 10-minute rest. Executive functions were evaluated using the Tower of London (planning), Stroop test (inhibition), 2-back task (working memory), and Child Trail Making Test (flexibility). RESULTS: Higher moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was associated with lower body fat, lower SBP, and higher CRF. SBP was related to planning performance, while CRF was associated with processing speed and cognitive flexibility. Mediation analyses indicated that SBP and CRF fully mediated the association between MVPA and specific executive functions (planning efficiency and cognitive flexibility, respectively). Sedentary behavior was linked to poorer inhibitory control. Children with higher CRF outperformed less fit peers in processing speed, independent of body composition. Despite higher MVPA and CRF in boys, cognitive performance was similar across sexes. CONCLUSION: CV health may constitute one physiological pathway linking PA to executive function in prepubertal children. Promoting higher-intensity PA and improving CRF may support both CV and cognitive development, as children exceeding current PA recommendations showed the most favorable CV health and cognitive profiles. References [1] C. H. Hillman, N. E. Logan, et T. T. Shigeta, « A Review of Acute Physical Activity Effects on Brain and Cognition in Children », Transl J ACSM, vol. 4, no 17, p. 132‑136, sept. 2019 [2] V. K. Mah et E. L. Ford-Jones, « Spotlight on middle childhood: Rejuvenating the ‘forgotten years’ », vol. 17, no 2, 2012. [3] J. Ni, M. Cheng, R. Zhang, et Y. Wang, « Meta-analysis of a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity intervention for academic achievement in children and adolescents », Physiology & Behavior, vol. 288, p. 114750, janv. 2025
Read CV Lynda MESSAOUDENEECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH12