The Effect of Physical Activity on Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults: A Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Few data exist describing the temporal association between the time spent within various intensities of physical activity (PA) and cardiometabolic health outcomes in youth. Study Hypotheses: In contrast to light- or moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) Vigorous- intensity PA would be associated with a reduced risk incident overweight and high normal blood pressure and (2) time spent in vigorous-intensity but not moderate- or light-intensity PA would be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors two years following baseline measurements. Design and Methods: This was a 3-year prospective cohort study of objectively-measured PA (Actical) in 315 youth aged 9 to-17 yrs of age studied in 14 schools. The primary exposure variable was PA intensity. The main outcomes measures were incident overweght status and high normal blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included disproportionate weight gain (annual change in body mass index Z score), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2 max) at the three year time point. Results: After three year follow-up, increasing time spent in any of the three PA intensities was not associated with incident overweight or incident high normal blood pressure. Compared to the lowest quartile, waist circumference [β = -0.04 95% CI = -0.07 to -0.01; p trend <0.01) and SBP [β = -3.08 95% CI = -6.79 to 0.64; p trend = 0.05] were lower in boys while VO 2 max was significantly higher [43.3 (39.6-46.4) vs 50.2 (43.8-52.9) mL/kg/min; p trend <0.01] in both boys and girls in the highest quartile of vigorous PA. These trends were not observed or reversed across quartiles of moderate- and light-intensity PA. Conclusions: Increasing time spent in vigorous-intensity PA at 12 years of age was associated with a more favorable cardiometabolic profile two years later. Similar trends were not evident for lower intensity PA. Experimental trials are needed to determine if these associations are causal in nature.

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Impact of social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity levels of adults aged 50–92 years: a baseline survey of the CHARIOT COVID-19 Rapid Response prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050680 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. e050680

Author(s):

David Salman ◽

Thomas Beaney ◽

Catherine E Robb ◽

Celeste A de Jager Loots ◽

Parthenia Giannakopoulou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Social Predictors ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

The Uk

ObjectivesPhysical inactivity is more common in older adults, is associated with social isolation and loneliness and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. We examined the effect of social restrictions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the UK (lockdown), on physical activity (PA) levels of older adults and the social predictors of any change.DesignBaseline analysis of a survey-based prospective cohort study.SettingAdults enrolled in the Cognitive Health in Ageing Register for Investigational and Observational Trials cohort from general practitioner practices in North West London were invited to participate from April to July 2020.Participants6219 cognitively healthy adults aged 50–92 years completed the survey.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported PA before and after the introduction of lockdown, as measured by metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes. Associations of PA with demographic, lifestyle and social factors, mood and frailty.ResultsMean PA was significantly lower following the introduction of lockdown from 3519 to 3185 MET min/week (p<0.001). After adjustment for confounders and prelockdown PA, lower levels of PA after the introduction of lockdown were found in those who were over 85 years old (640 (95% CI 246 to 1034) MET min/week less); were divorced or single (240 (95% CI 120 to 360) MET min/week less); living alone (277 (95% CI 152 to 402) MET min/week less); reported feeling lonely often (306 (95% CI 60 to 552) MET min/week less); and showed symptoms of depression (1007 (95% CI 612 to 1401) MET min/week less) compared with those aged 50–64 years, married, cohabiting and not reporting loneliness or depression, respectively.Conclusions and implicationsMarkers of social isolation, loneliness and depression were associated with lower PA following the introduction of lockdown in the UK. Targeted interventions to increase PA in these groups should be considered.

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