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Sport-based physical activity recommendations and modifications in C-reactive protein and arterial thickness

European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We analyzed the effects of 1 year of engagement in ≥ 300 min/week of organized sports on inflammatory levels and vascular structure in adolescents. The sample was composed of 89 adolescents (11.6 ± 0.7 years old [43 boys and 46 girls]), stratified according to engagement in ≥ 300 min/week of sport practice during at least 12 months of follow-up (n = 15, sport practice; n = 74, non-sport practice). Arterial thickness (carotid and femoral) was assessed by ultrasound scan, while high sensitive C-reactive protein levels were used to assess inflammatory status. Trunk fatness (densitometry scanner), biological maturation (age at peak height velocity), blood pressure, and skipping breakfast were treated as covariates. Independently of body fatness and biological maturation, the group engaged in sports presented a higher reduction in C-reactive protein (mean difference −1.559 mg/L [95%CI −2.539 to −0.579]) than the non-sport group (mean difference −0.414 mg/L [95%CI −0.846 to 0.017]) (p = 0.040). There was a significant relationship between changes in C-reactive protein and changes in femoral intima-media thickness in the non-sport group (r = 0.311 [95%CI 0.026 to 0.549]).

Conclusion: Inflammation decreased in adolescents engaged in organized sports, independently of trunk fatness and biological maturation. Moreover, inflammation was related to arterial thickening only in adolescents not engaged in sports.

What is Known:

• Intima media thickness is a relevant marker of cardiovascular disease in pediatric groups, being affected by obesity and inflammation.

• The importance of monitoring inflammatory markers from childhood is enhanced by the fact that alterations in these inflammatory markers in early life predict inflammation and alterations in carotid IMT in adulthood.

What is New:

• Anti-inflammatory properties related to physical exercise performed at moderate intensity, on inflammation and alterations in IMT are not clear in pediatric groups.

• Due to the importance that sport participation has assumed as a promoter of improvements in health and quality of life, it is necessary to understand its potential benefits for cardiovascular health during human growth.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

APHV:

Age at peak height velocity

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CIMT:

Carotid intima media thickness

DBP:

Diastolic blood pressure

FIMT:

Femoral intima media thickness

IMT:

Intima media thickness

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

TF:

Trunk fatness

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation under grant 2013/06052-2 and 2015/04961-0; CNPq under grant 476295/2013-0 and 303725/2014-1.

Funding

This work was supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation—FAPESP under grants 2013/06052-2 and 2015/04961-0, and CNPq under grants 476295/2013-0 and 303725/2014-1.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post-Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, Sao Paulo State University—UNESP, Rio Claro, Brazil

    Suziane Ungari Cayres

  2. Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Department of Physical Education, UNESP, Roberto Simonsen Street, 305, Presidente Prudente, 19060-900, Brazil

    Suziane Ungari Cayres & Fabio Santos de Lira

  3. Department of Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Han C. G. Kemper

  4. Laboratory of Investigation in Exercise—LIVE, Department of Physical Education, UNESP, Presidente Prudente, Brazil

    Jamile Sanches Codogno & Romulo Araújo Fernandes

  5. Post-Graduate Program in Radiology, Federal University of São Paulo—UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Maurício Fregonesi Barbosa

Authors
  1. Suziane Ungari Cayres
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  2. Fabio Santos de Lira
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  3. Han C. G. Kemper
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  4. Jamile Sanches Codogno
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  5. Maurício Fregonesi Barbosa
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  6. Romulo Araújo Fernandes
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Contributions

Cayres SU conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Fabio Santos de Lira, Han C. G. Kemper, Jamile Sanches Codogno, and Maurício Fregonesi Barbosa revised the manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Fernandes RA designed the data collection instruments and coordinated and supervised data collection, critically reviewed the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suziane Ungari Cayres.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Informed consent

All the participants received and signed the forms prior to participation in this research.

Additional information

Communicated by Mario Bianchetti

In addition, the first author Suziane Ungari Cayres, PhD student, wrote the draft manuscript as well, she reviewed the entire manuscript after the contribution of other people. Nobody was paid to build this manuscript. All authors approved the final version of this manuscript.

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Cayres, S.U., de Lira, F.S., Kemper, H.C.G. et al. Sport-based physical activity recommendations and modifications in C-reactive protein and arterial thickness. Eur J Pediatr 177, 551–558 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-018-3101-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-018-3101-6

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