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. 2021 Apr 29:17:175-185.
doi: 10.2147/VHRM.S283211. eCollection 2021.

Higher Total Physical Activity is Associated with Lower Arterial Stiffness in Swedish, Young Adults: The Cross-Sectional Lifestyle, Biomarkers, and Atherosclerosis Study

Ulrika Fernberg  1 , Maria Fernström  2 , Anita Hurtig-Wennlöf  1   3
Affiliations

Higher Total Physical Activity is Associated with Lower Arterial Stiffness in Swedish, Young Adults: The Cross-Sectional Lifestyle, Biomarkers, and Atherosclerosis Study

Ulrika Fernberg et al. Vasc Health Risk Manag. .

Abstract

Purpose: Arterial stiffness describes the rigidity of the arterial walls and is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Arterial stiffness predicts future events and mortality, and the predictive value is stronger in younger versus older subjects. The aims of the present study were, firstly, to present data on physical activity (PA) and time spent sedentary, in the population of Swedish, young adults. Secondly, to explore the association between PA and arterial stiffness.

Material and methods: Self-reported healthy, non-smoking, Swedish, young adults, 18-25 years old, participated in the cross-sectional Lifestyle, Biomarkers and Atherosclerosis (LBA) study. The daily PA was objectively measured with an accelerometer for 1 week. Of the 834 participants, 658 individuals had valid registrations. The arterial stiffness measures, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were measured with applanation tonometry.

Results: Women were on overall more physically active than men, they spent 214 min/day in light PA (LPA) compared to men who spent 202 min/day. Women took significantly more steps per day than men, 7796 vs 7336 steps/day, and spent less time sedentary, 523 min/day, compared to men who spent 547 min/day sedentary. In total, 76% of the individuals spent on average at least 30 minutes per day in the recommended moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA). Lower arterial stiffness was associated with more MVPA and total PA in the total population.

Conclusion: We conclude that in this age group of young, self-reported healthy adults 18-25 years, it is important to highlight the health-enhancing possibilities of time spent in physical activity on the vascular function, measured as PWV and AIx. It is of high relevance in a public health perspective to expand preventive efforts beyond the high-risk groups and encourage young adults to be physically active.

Keywords: accelerometry; atherosclerosis; healthy population; pulse wave analysis; pulse wave velocity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The manuscript is based on the thesis “Arterial stiffness and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in young adults” by the author Ulrika Fernberg. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sampling procedure of the physical activity (PA) data in the Lifestyle, Biomarkers, and Atherosclerosis Study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
AIx_HR75 (Augmentation index adjusted to heart rate 75 beats/min) in the moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) categories not reaching 30 minutes MVPA per day (n=157), reaching 30 minutes MVPA per day (n=353), and reaching 60 minutes MVPA per day (n=144) in total population with valid physical activity data. Study participants who spent <30 minutes per day in MVPA had significantly higher AIx_HR75 than study participants who spent >60 minutes/day in MVPA, *P<0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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