Arterial Structure in 18-Year-Old Males Is Dependent on Physical Activity at 12 Years and Cumulative Cardiorespiratory Fitness From Puberty to Late Adolescence.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effect of body composition, physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) from puberty on arterial health in late adolescent males.

Methods: The cumulative burden of physical activity (measured with accelerometer), CRF (VO2peak0.82), and body composition (body mass index, fat mass, and fat percentage) from puberty to late adolescence (sum of 4 time points from 12 to 18 y) was assessed in 102 males. Additional analysis on the first (T1) and last (T4) time points was performed. Intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index adjusted to heart rate of 75 beats per minute (bpm) as dependent variables were measured at T4 and analyzed in multivariable regression models adjusted for known risk factors including maturation, blood pressure, and smoking habits.

Results: T1 and cumulative body composition measures were independently associated with IMT, while cumulative (β = -0.011, P = .036) and T4 (β = -0.0.031, P = .001) CRF revealed independent associations with IMT. Individuals with moderate to vigorous physical activity >60 minutes per day at T1 showed relationship (β = -1.091, P = .026) with IMT independently of late adolescent physical activity. No significant relationship was present for arterial function.

Conclusion: Arterial structure in adolescent males is associated with physical activity at 12 years while relationship with CRF can be seen in late adolescence and cumulatively from puberty to late adolescence.