Relationship between objectively measured physical activity and vascular structure and function in adults

Background Physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with higher risk of heart failure. However, the independent contributions of objectively measured sedentary time, physical activity, and CRF toward left ventricular (LV) structure and function are not well established. Methods and Results We included 1368 participants from the DHS (Dallas Heart Study) (age, 49 years; 40% men) free of cardiovascular disease who had physical activity and sedentary time measured by accelerometer, CRF estimated from submaximal treadmill test, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging performed using 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging. A series of linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the associations of sedentary time, moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, and CRF with LV parameters after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors. We observed a modest correlation between CRF levels and objectively measured moderate (correlation coefficient, 0.17; P <0.001) and vigorous physical activity (correlation coefficient, 0.25; P <0.001) levels. In contrast, sedentary time was not associated with CRF. In adjusted analysis, both vigorous physical activity and higher CRF were significantly associated with greater stroke volume, LV mass, LV end‐diastolic volume, and lower arterial elastance, independent of other confounders. Sedentary time and moderate physical activity levels were not associated with LV parameters. Conclusions Vigorous physical activity and CRF are significantly associated with cardiac structure and function parameters. Future studies are needed to determine if interventions aimed at improving CRF levels may favorably modify cardiac structure and function.

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Effects of a Tailored Physical Activity Intervention on Cardiovascular Structure and Function in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/15459683211017504 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 154596832110175

Author(s):

Alexandra M. Williams ◽

Jasmin K. Ma ◽

Kathleen A. Martin Ginis ◽

Christopher R. West

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Internal Diameter ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Vascular Structure ◽

Cord Injury ◽

And Function

Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a loss of descending motor and sympathetic control below the level of injury (LOI), which ultimately results in chronically altered cardiovascular function and remodeling. While supervised, laboratory-based exercise training can generate cardiovascular adaptations in people with SCI, it is unknown whether behavioral community-based interventions effectively generate such adaptations for individuals with SCI. Objective Examine the effects of a tailored behavioral physical activity (PA) intervention on cardiac and vascular structure and function in individuals with SCI. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 32 participants with SCI (18-65 years, SCI >1 year) were assigned to PA (8-week behavioral intervention) or control (CON) groups. At baseline and postintervention, measures of resting left ventricular (LV) structure and function, carotid intima-media thickness and pulse-wave velocity were assessed with ultrasound and tonometry. Results Twenty-eight participants completed the study (n = 14/group). Across the full study cohort there were no significant changes in indices of LV or vascular structure and function, despite notable improvements in peak power and oxygen uptake in the PA group. However, in a subanalysis for LOI, individuals in the PA group with LOIs below T6 had evidence of altered LV geometry (ie, increased LV internal diameter, reduced sphericity index and relative wall thickness; group × time P < 0.05 for all), which was not seen in individuals with higher LOIs at or above T6. Conclusion An 8-week behavioral PA intervention appears to promote adaptations in cardiac geometry more readily in individuals with lower level SCI than those with higher-level SCI.

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Early postoperative physical activity and function: a descriptive case series study of 53 patients after lumbar spine surgery

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-020-03816-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rogelio A. Coronado ◽

Hiral Master ◽

Daniel K. White ◽

Jacquelyn S. Pennings ◽

Mackenzie L. Bird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Function ◽

Spine Surgery ◽

Case Series ◽

Lumbar Spine Surgery ◽

Case Series Study ◽

And Function ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Series Study ◽

Objectively Measured Physical Activity

Abstract Background The purpose of this prospective case series study was to compare changes in early postoperative physical activity and physical function between 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after lumbar spine surgery. Methods Fifty-three patients (mean [95% confidence interval; CI] age = 59.2 [56.2, 62.3] years, 64% female) who underwent spine surgery for a degenerative lumbar condition were assessed at 6 weeks and 3- and 6-months after surgery. The outcomes were objectively-measured physical activity (accelerometry) and patient-reported and objective physical function. Physical activity was assessed using mean steps/day and time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over a week. Physical function measures included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 10-Meter Walk (10 MW). We compared changes over time in physical activity and function using generalized estimating equations with robust estimator and first-order autoregressive covariance structure. Proportion of patients who engaged in meaningful physical activity (e.g., walked at least 4400 and 6000 steps/day or engaged in at least 150 min/week in MVPA) and achieved clinically meaningful changes in physical function were compared at 3 and 6 months. Results After surgery, 72% of patients initiated physical therapy (mean [95%CI] sessions =8.5 [6.6, 10.4]) between 6 weeks and 3 months. Compared to 6 weeks post-surgery, no change in steps/day or time in MVPA/week was observed at 3 or 6 months. From 21 to 23% and 9 to 11% of participants walked at least 4400 and 6000 steps/day at 3 and 6 months, respectively, while none of the participants spent at least 150 min/week in MVPA at these same time points. Significant improvements were observed on ODI, SF-12, TUG and 10 MW (p < 0.05), with over 43 to 68% and 62 to 87% achieving clinically meaningful improvements on these measures at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Conclusion Limited improvement was observed in objectively-measured physical activity from 6 weeks to 6 months after spine surgery, despite moderate to large function gains. Early postoperative physical therapy interventions targeting physical activity may be needed.

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