Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Oct 9;21(1):705.
doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-04566-w.

The association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour with abdominal aortic calcification

Chang Sheng  1 , Weihua Huang  2   3   4 , Wei Wang  1   5 , Guoqiang Lin #  6   7 , Mingmei Liao #  8   9 , Pu Yang #  10   11
Affiliations

The association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour with abdominal aortic calcification

Chang Sheng et al. J Transl Med. .

Abstract

Background and aims: The increasing prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases poses a significant challenge to global healthcare systems. Regular physical activity (PA) is recognized for its positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods: The study used data from NHANES participants aged 40 and above during the 2013-2014 cycle. AAC scores were assessed using the Kauppila scoring system, and MVPA and SB were self-reported. Sociodemographic variables were considered, and multivariable linear regression models were used to analyze associations between MVPA, SB, and AAC scores. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, sex, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes.

Results: The study included 2843 participants. AAC prevalence was higher in older age groups, smokers, and those with diabetes or hypertension. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher AAC prevalence. Individuals engaged in any level of MVPA exhibited lower AAC rates compared to inactive individuals. Not engaging in occupational MVPA (β = 0.46, 95% confidence interval = 0.24‒0.67, p < .001) and prolonged SB (β = 0.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.04‒0.52, p = .023) were associated with higher AAC scores. However, no significant associations were found for transportation and leisure time MVPA. Subgroup analysis revealed age and hypertension as effect modifiers in the MVPA-AAC relationship.

Conclusions: This study highlights the potential benefits of engaging in occupational MVPA and reducing SB in mitigating AAC scores, particularly among older individuals and those with hypertension.

Keywords: Abdominal aortic calcification; Cardiovascular risk factors; NHANES; Physical activity; Sedentary behavior.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Restricted spline curve shows the relationship between TSBT and AAC scores. Red line and red transparent area represent beta and 95% CI, respectively; the unit of TSBT is hours. β (95% CI) was adjusted based on Model 3 (sex, age, race, BMI, marital status, education, poverty level, smoking status, diabetes, and hypertension). AAC abdominal aortic calcification; TSBT total sedentary behaviour time; CI confidence interval
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Subgroup analysis for the association between MVPA, Occupational MVPA or TSBT and AAC. The results were adjusted for all covariates except the corresponding stratification variable. AAC abdominal aortic calcification; BMI body mass index; MVPA moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; TSBT total sedentary behaviour time. *p < .05
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Alberti KG, Zimmet P, Shaw J. The metabolic syndrome–a new worldwide definition. Lancet. 2005;366:1059–62. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67402-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ahmadi-Abhari S, Sabia S, Shipley MJ, Kivimäki M, Singh-Manoux A, Tabak A, McEniery C, Wilkinson IB, Brunner EJ. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and long-term changes in aortic stiffness: the Whitehall II study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6:e005974. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.005974. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Karimi L, Mattace-Raso FU, van Rosmalen J, van Rooij F, Hofman A, Franco OH. Effects of combined healthy lifestyle factors on functional vascular aging: the Rotterdam Study. J Hypertens. 2016;34:853–9. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000000861. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Endes S, Schaffner E, Caviezel S, Dratva J, Autenrieth CS, Wanner M, Martin B, Stolz D, Pons M, Turk A, et al. Physical activity is associated with lower arterial stiffness in older adults: results of the SAPALDIA 3 cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2016;31:275–285. doi: 10.1007/s10654-015-0076-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Endes S, Schaffner E, Caviezel S, Dratva J, Autenrieth CS, Wanner M, Martin B, Stolz D, Pons M, Turk A, et al. Long-term physical activity is associated with reduced arterial stiffness in older adults: longitudinal results of the SAPALDIA cohort study. Age Ageing. 2016;45:110–115. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv172. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types