Objectively Measured Aerobic Fitness is Not Related to Vascular Health Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk In 9-10 Year Old Children

This is the final version. Available from University of Uludag via the link in this recordThe purpose of the study was to examine whether a higher aerobic fitness in 9-10 year old children is related to superior macro and microvascular health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Ninety-six 9-10 year olds (53 boys) completed the study. Body composition was assessed from air displacement plethysmography and magnetic resonance imaging. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2) was assessed from a ramp-incremental cycling exercise test. Macrovascular outcomes were assessed from pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity (PWV) using applanation tonometry. Microvascular function was assessed from the functional microvascular reserve and skin erythrocyte flux after iontophoretic application of skin vasodilators. Assessment of CVD risk was assessed via body mass index, total body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue, glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, while insulin resistance was calculated using Homeostatic model assessment. Aerobic fitness groups (higher vs lower) were calculated from V̇O2 peak scaled for body mass (mL·kg-0.61·min-1) and fat free mass (mL·FFM-1·min-1). Children with a higher V̇O2 peak scaled for body mass had a greater carotid to ankle PWV compared to those with lower aerobic fitness (mean ± SD: 6.08 ± 0.47 vs. 5.87 ± 0.43 m·s-1; p = 0.039), although this became non-significant when scaled for FFM (p = 0.56). No other mean differences in vascular or CVD risk health markers were present between higher and lower groups of aerobic fitness when scaled for body mass or FFM. Conclusion: Directly assessed aerobic fitness is not related to macro and microvascular health outcomes or CVD risk markers in 9-10 year olds

Effects of supervised exercise training on lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous ulcers

Purpose: To investigate the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise programme on lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous leg ulceration. Methods: Thirty-eight adults with unilateral venous ulceration who were being treated with lower-limb compression therapy (58% male; mean age 65 years; median ulcer size 5 cm2) were randomly allocated to exercise or control groups. Exercise participants (n=18) were invited to attend thrice weekly sessions of lower-limb aerobic and resistance exercise for 12 weeks. Cutaneous microvascular reactivity was assessed in the gaiter region of ulcerated and non-ulcerated legs at baseline and 3 months using laser Doppler fluxmetry coupled with iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as laser Doppler flux (AU)/mean arterial pressure (mmHg). Results: Thirty-seven participants completed follow-up assessments. Median class attendance was 36 (range 2 to 36). Analyses of covariance revealed greater peak CVC responses to ACh in the exercise group at 3 months in both the ulcerated (adjusted difference = 0.944 AU/mmHg; 95% CI 0.504 to 1.384) and non-ulcerated (adjusted difference = 0.596 AU/mmHg; 95% CI 0.028 to 1.164) legs. Peak CVC responses to SNP were also greater in the exercise group at 3 months in the ulcerated leg (adjusted difference = 0.882 AU/mmHg; 95% CI 0.274 to 1.491), but not the non-ulcerated leg (adjusted difference = 0.392 AU/mmHg; 95% CI -0.377 to 1.161). Conclusion: Supervised exercise training improves lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous leg ulceration. Keywords Randomized controlled trial; Exercise; Ulceration; Vascular function; Laser Doppler fluxmetry; Iontophoresi