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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283575
Title: Flow-mediated dilation and exercise blood pressure in healthy adolescents

Author
item LAMBIASE, MAYA - University Of Buffalo
item DORN, JOAN - University Of Buffalo
item THURSTON, REBECCA - University Of Buffalo
item Roemmich, James

Submitted to: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2013
Publication Date: 7/1/2014
Citation: Lambiase, M.J., Dorn, J., Thurston, R.C., Roemmich, J.N. 2014. Flow-mediated dilation and exercise blood pressure in healthy adolescents. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports. 17(4):425-429.

Interpretive Summary: Objectives: Atherosclerosis begins in youth. The inner lining of the blood vessels (endothelium) play important roles in regulating blood pressure and protecting against the start of the atherosclerotic process. Few studies have determined whether aerobic fitness and exercise blood pressure (BP) responses are correlated with health of the endothelium in healthy youth. Endothelial health is measured noninvasively by a flow-mediated dilation (FMD) technique. Methods: Adolescents (N=54) completed a submaximal exercise test to measure aerobic fitness. Blood pressure was recorded during each stage of the exercise test. FMD was measured on a separate day. Multiple regression was used to test the associations between aerobic fitness and exercise BP (absolute BP and change in BP from baseline) and FMD during moderate and vigorous exercise intensities. Results: In adjusted models, a greater increase in pulse pressure (PP) from baseline during both moderate [B(SE)=-.013(.005), p<.05] and vigorous [B(SE)=-.009(.004), p<.05] intensity exercise was associated poorer FMD. Aerobic fitness was not associated with FMD. Conclusions: The moderate and vigorous submaximal exercise intensities used in this study are representative of the intensity of physical activities that youth experience in their daily lives. Youth who demonstrated greater increases in PP during submaximal exercise testing may also be at risk for more frequent encounters with increased hemodynamic loads during normal daily

Technical Abstract: Objectives: Atherosclerosis is a process that begins in youth. The endothelium plays an essential role in regulating blood flow and protecting against progression of the initial stages of the atherosclerotic process. Few studies have investigated the relationship between aerobic fitness and exercise blood pressure (BP) responses with flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a noninvasive measurement of endothelial function, in healthy youth. Methods: Adolescents (N=54) completed a graded submaximal exercise test to measure aerobic fitness. Blood pressure was recorded during each stage of the exercise test. FMD was measured on a separate day. Multiple regression was used to assess the associations of aerobic fitness and exercise with FMD. Multiple regression was also used to test the associations between exercise BP (absolute BP and change in BP from baseline) and FMD during moderate and vigorous exercise intensities. Results: In adjusted models, a greater increase in pulse pressure (PP) from baseline during both moderate [B(SE)=-.013(.005), p<.05] and vigorous [B(SE)=-.009(.004), p<.05] intensity exercise was associated poorer FMD. Aerobic fitness was not associated with FMD. Conclusions: The moderate and vigorous submaximal exercise intensities used in this study are representative of the intensity of physical activities that youth experience in their daily lives. Youth who demonstrated greater increases in PP during submaximal exercise testing may also be at risk for more frequent encounters with increased hemodynamic loads during normal daily activities which, over time, may cause damage to the endothelium, increasing the risk for atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular disease.