Association of Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adulthood: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Practicing sports during childhood and adolescence provides benefits to cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) at these stages of life. However, it is not known whether these benefits to CAM persist into adulthood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the association of early sports practice (sports practice in childhood and/or adolescence) with CAM in adult life, regardless of habitual moderate-to-vigorous PA. METHODS: The sample of the present study consisted of 242 adults (141 women and 101 men; age: 41.99 ± 16.24). The assessment of CAM was performed using heart rate variability indices. Sports practice in childhood and adolescence was assessed using a questionnaire. The intensity of physical activity was assessed using accelerometry. To analyze the association between previous sports practice (childhood and/or adolescence) and CAM, the Generalized Linear Model was adopted, considering CAM indices as continuous variables and early sports practice as a 3-fold factor (no sports practice; sports practice in childhood or adolescence; and sports practice in both childhood and adolescence) adjusted by sex, age, socioeconomic condition, and moderate to vigorous PA. RESULTS: Sports practice in childhood was associated with the average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals expressed in milliseconds (SDNN): ß = 5.89; 95%CI: 0.25;11.52, and the standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats (SD2): ß = 7.63; 95%CI:1.04; 14.23 indices. Sports practice in adolescence was associated in adulthood with the SD2 index: ß = 7.37; 95%CI: 0.71;14.04. Sports practice in at least one of the periods (childhood or adolescence) was significantly associated with the square root of the mean square of the differences between adjacent normal RR intervals for a period of time expressed in milliseconds (RMSSD) (ß = 8.86; 95%CI = 0.71;17.01), and the standard deviation of the instantaneous beat to beat variability (SD1) (ß = 6.21; 95%CI = 0.45;11.97). Sports practice at both stages of life was significantly associated with better SDNN (ß = 7.70; 95%CI = 1.16;14.23) and SD2 (ß = 10.18; 95%CI = 2.51;17.85). CONCLUSION: Early sports practice was associated with better CAM in adulthood, independently of the current physical activity level. Based on these findings, sports practice is encouraged from childhood and adolescence, for benefits to CAM in adult life.

Effect of physical activity on the relationship between adiposity and cardiac autonomic modulation in female breast cancer survivors: a longitudinal study.

This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the influence of physical activity (PA) on the relationship between body adiposity and cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) in women survivors of breast cancer. We collected body adiposity through electrical bioimpedance considering body fat percentage (BFP), CAM through heart rate variability (considering RMSSD, SDNN, PNN50, LF (m2), HF (m2), SD1 indexes and SD1/SD2 ratio) and PA through a questionnaire in 64 participants (58.0 ± 9.6 years), recruited through the local association of support for breast cancer and by direct indications from city mastologists. After insertion of PA into the multivariate statistical model, significant attenuation was observed in the relationship between body adiposity and CAM for the indices: SDNN (ß = -0.94; 95 percent CI: -1.93; 0.04; p = .060) and SD1/SD2 (ß = -0.01;95 percent CI = -0.02; 0.001; p = .065). In conclusion, it was observed that PA was able to mitigate the relationships between BFP and CAM (considering SDNN index and SD1/SD2 ratio) in breast cancer survivors.

Association Between Physical Activity Levels in Different Domains and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors frequently present cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Physical activity (PA) has been associated with better cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) in breast cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the association between CAM and PA levels performed in different domains (work and occupation, sport and exercise, and leisure time and commuting) in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 99 breast cancer survivors (age, 55.3 ± 10.4 years). Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate variability, and PA levels at work and occupation, sport and exercise, and leisure time and commuting were assessed using the Baecke PA questionnaire. The sum of these 3 domains provided the total PA. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare CAM between active and inactive women in different domains of PA. RESULTS: Cardiac autonomic modulation was similar between active and inactive women in the different domains ( P > .05). However, when considering the total PA, active breast cancer survivors presented higher SDNN (average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals) (20.0 ± 13.4 vs 28.8 ± 14.0; P = .008) and SD2 (standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats) indices (29.2 ± 17.3 vs 38.7 ± 19.9; P = .005) compared with their inactive counterparts. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors with higher total PA presented better CAM compared with their less active peers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of this study are promising and show the importance of increasing PA levels in different domains for the maintenance of cardiovascular health among breast cancer survivors.

Influence of physical fitness of coronary disease patients on vagal reentry and heart rate recovery after exercise with and without fluid replacement.

BACKGROUND: Fluid replacement during exercise has been studied as an important strategy to enhance recovery, however, studies are needed to investigate the effect of this strategy in different physical profiles. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of physical fitness of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients on vagal reentry and heart rate recovery after exercise performed with and without fluid replacement. METHODS: Nonrandomized crossover clinical trial. Thirty-three CAD patients were submitted to (I) cardiopulmonary exercise test: to divide the sample into lower and higher VO2  peak groups; (II) control protocol (CP): composed of rest, aerobic exercise and passive recovery; (III) hydration protocol (HP): composed of the same activities as the CP, but with water intake during exercise. The recovery was evaluated by vagal reentry and heart rate recovery immediately after exercise. RESULTS: The results did not show significant differences between the higher and lower VO2  peak groups. In addition, the hydration strategy adopted was not able to cause significant changes between control and HPs, regardless of group. However, a time effect was observed, suggesting anticipation of vagal reactivation and heart rate reduction in HP. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness did not influence vagal reentry and heart rate recovery in CAD patients after exercise. However, the hydration strategy seems to have anticipated vagal reentry and produced a more efficient reduction in heart rate regardless of the individuals' physical fitness, but these results should be analyzed with caution due to the absence of significant differences between groups and protocols.

Association of Early Sports Practice with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Sports practice in childhood and adolescence has been inversely related to the chances of developing cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs). However, it is not clear whether sports practice in childhood and adolescence could be inversely related to CRF in adult life. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the association between early sports practice and cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized sample of community-dwelling adults. METHODS: For this, 265 adults aged ≥ 18 years composed the sample. Cardiovascular risk factors of obesity, central obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were collected. Early sports practice was retrospectively self-reported using an appropriate instrument. Total physical activity level was assessed by accelerometry. The association between early sports practice and cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood was analyzed by binary logistic regression, adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. RESULTS: Early sports practice was observed in 56.2% of the sample. The prevalence of central obesity (31.5 vs. 50.0%; p = 0.003), diabetes (4.7% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.014), dyslipidemia (10.7% vs. 24.1%; p = 0.005), and hypertension (14.1% vs. 34.5%; p = 0.001) was lower in participants who reported early sports practice. Participants who reported early sports practice in childhood and adolescence were, respectively, 60% (OR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.19-0.82) and 59% (OR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.21-0.82) less likely to have hypertension in adult life when compared to those with no early sports practice, independently of sex, age, socioeconomic status, and habitual physical activity level in adulthood. CONCLUSION: Early sports practice in childhood and adolescence was a protective factor for hypertension in adulthood.

Association of cardiac autonomic modulation with different intensities of physical activity in a small Brazilian inner city: A gender analysis.

Physical activity has been linked to higher cardiac autonomic modulation. However, it is not clear in the literature which type of intensity of physical activity (sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous) could be related to better cardiac autonomic modulation and whether this relationship is similar in men and women. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and the different intensities of physical activity in men and women. The sample included 100 men and 131 women. Cardiac autonomic modulation was obtained by heart rate variability (SDNN, RMSSD, LF un, HF un, SD1, and SD2). Time spent in different intensities (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity) was measured using a waist-worn accelerometer for seven days. Linear regression was used to verify the relationship between physical activity and cardiac autonomic modulation, considering the adjustment for age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level. Among men, a significant relationship of moderate intensity was observed with SDNN (ß = 2.442; p = 0.021) and SD2 (ß = 2.936, p = 0.028), and of vigorous intensity with SDNN (ß = 12.826, p = 0.028), RMSSD (ß = 16.370, p = 0.018), and SD1 (ß = 12.344, p = 0.025) indices. Among women, light-intensity physical activity was significantly related with LFnu (ß = .655, p = 0.005) and HFnu (ß = -.590, p = 0.010). Moderate and vigorous physical activity was associated with better cardiac autonomic modulation in men. Light physical activity was associated with lower sympathetic modulation in women.

Can Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence Be Associated with Higher Intensities of Physical Activity in Adult Life? A Retrospective Study in Community-Dwelling Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Investigating the determinants of physical activity (PA) is an important strategy for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, mainly with PA of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity, which provides several health benefits in adulthood. In this sense, it is not clear whether early sports practice (ESP) during childhood and adolescence could be associated with the habitual practice of PA of higher intensities in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the association of ESP in childhood and adolescence with different intensities of habitual PA in adulthood. METHODS: A sample of 264 community-dwelling adults were randomly selected (42.2 ± 17.0 years, 57.5% of women). ESP during childhood and adolescence was evaluated using retrospective questions. Weekly minutes of PA were assessed using accelerometry and classified according to intensity as light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous, vigorous and very vigorous. The association of ESP with a high level of PA (above median) in each intensity was analyzed using binary regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of ESP was 42.8% in childhood and 49.2% in adolescence. ESP in childhood was associated with a high level of very vigorous (OR: 2.48, p < 0.001) and vigorous PA (OR: 2.91, p < 0.001) in adulthood, but lost significance after adjustments by sex and age. ESP in adolescence was associated with a high level of very vigorous PA (OR: 1.99, p = 0.013) in the crude model and vigorous PA (OR: 2.21, p = 0.006), even after adjustments by age, sex and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in sports practice during adolescence was associated with high levels of vigorous PA in adulthood and is an important period for healthy lifestyle promotion.

HRV analysis: undependability of approximate entropy at locating optimum complexity in malnourished children.

INTRODUCTION: Approximate Entropy is an extensively enforced metric to evaluate chaotic responses and irregularities of RR intervals sourced from an eletrocardiogram. However, to estimate their responses, it has one major problem - the accurate determination of tolerances and embedding dimensions. So, we aimed to overt this potential hazard by calculating numerous alternatives to detect their optimality in malnourished children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 70 subjects split equally: malnourished children and controls. To estimate autonomic modulation, the heart rate was measured lacking any physical, sensory or pharmacologic stimuli. In the time series attained, Approximate Entropy was computed for tolerance (0.1→0.5 in intervals of 0.1) and embedding dimension (1→5 in intervals of 1) and the statistical significances between the groups by their Cohen's ds and Hedges's gs were totalled. RESULTS: The uppermost value of statistical significance accomplished for the effect sizes for any of the combinations was -0.2897 (Cohen's ds) and -0.2865 (Hedges's gs). This was achieved with embedding dimension = 5 and tolerance = 0.3. CONCLUSIONS: Approximate Entropy was able to identify a reduction in chaotic response via malnourished children. The best values of embedding dimension and tolerance of the Approximate Entropy to identify malnourished children were, respectively, embedding dimension = 5 and embedding tolerance = 0.3. Nevertheless, Approximate Entropy is still an unreliable mathematical marker to regulate this.

Association between cardiac autonomic modulation and sedentary behavior in breast cancer survivors: a 12-month cohort study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal influence of sitting time (ST) on cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) and resting heart rate (RHR) in a 12-month cohort of 67 breast cancer survivors. METHODS: CAM was assessed by heart rate variability with heart monitor which also assessed RHR, and ST was self-reported. The relationship between the variables was analyzed by the Pearson correlation and its magnitude by linear regression. RESULTS: At baseline, no associations were found between ST and CAM or RHR. In the delta analyses, a decrease in RMSSD, SD1, and HF(ms2) was associated with sitting time. At 12-month follow-up, there was an increase in the ST and a decrease in RHR. ST was negatively related with CAM (RMSSD, PNN50, and SD1), but no association was observed between ST and RHR. CONCLUSION: The increase in ST was associated with worsening of CAM after 12-month follow-up. Promoting reduction in ST will be an important strategy against cardiovascular impairment in breast cancer survivors.

Physical activity domains are differently related with quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Treatments for breast cancer (BC) can lead to physical and mental impairments which may affect quality of life (QoL). Physical activity (PA) is highly recommended for this population due to its protective effect against BC relapse and its ability to reduce the health impact of treatment. However, it is not clear whether the different domains of PA are associated with better QoL of BC survivors. The current study aimed to verify the relationship between different PA domains with QoL of BC survivors. METHODS: The sample consisted of 128 women BC survivors, with a mean age of 58.2 ±â€Š9.7 years. QoL was assessed using the Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) and PA was verified through the Baecke questionnaire, in domains of occupation, sports practice, and leisure time/commuting. The relationship between QoL and different PA domains was verified by linear regression, adjusted by age, marital status, and socioeconomic condition. RESULTS: Occupational PA was negatively related to physical limitations [ß= -15.36 (-29.04 to -1.68] and body pain [ß=-6.61 (-14.53 to 1.31) marginal association]. Sports practice was positively related to functional capacity [ß= 4.24 (0.60 to 7.88)]. Leisure time/commuting PA was positively related to functional capacity [ß = 7.17 (3.09 to 11.26)], vitality [ß = 4.30 (0.39 to 8.22)], social aspects [ß= 5.47 (0.80 to 10.15)], and mental health [ß = 4.08 (0.40 to 7.75)]. CONCLUSIONS: Sports practice and leisure time/commuting PA were positively related to QoL in BC survivors, while occupational PA was negatively related to QoL, independently of age, marital status, and socioeconomic condition.

Relationship of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation with Cardiovascular Parameters in Adults, According to Body Mass Index and Physical Activity.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) and cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure and resting heart rate) in a sample of 256 adults, grouped by body mass index and sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (≥150 min/week). The sample showed different cardiovascular parameters and CAM according to body mass index, but not according to physical activity. Adults who are overweight and physically active presented higher relationship between CAM and blood pressure than those who are insufficiently active, similarly to normal weight groups. Recommended levels of physical activity may play an important role in the relationship of HRV with cardiovascular parameters in overweight adults, regardless of sex, age, socioeconomic level, and central fat. Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03986879). Graphical abstract.

Relationship between domains of physical activity and cardiac autonomic modulation in adults: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship of physical activity in different domains with cardiac autonomic modulation in adults. A sample of 252 adults was randomly selected, with mean age of 42.1 (± 16.5) years, being 58% of women. Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed through indexes of heart rate variability in time (SDNN, RMSSD) and frequency (LF, HF) domains for linear method, and by Poincaré plot for non-linear method (SD1, SD2 components). Domains of PA (occupation, sport, leisure time/commuting, and total) were assessed by Baecke's questionnaire. Variables of age, gender, socioeconomic status (questionnaire) and body mass index (objectively measures) were covariates. Occupational PA was positively related to LF (ß = 2.39, 95% CI 0.24; 4.54), sports PA was positively related to SDNN (ß = 3.26, 95% CI 0.18; 7.05), RMSSD (ß = 4.07, 95% CI 0.31; 7.85), and SD1 (ß = 2.85, 95% CI 0.11; 5.81), and leisure time/commuting PA was positively related to SDNN (ß = 3.36, 95% CI 0.28; 6.70) and RMSSD (ß = 3.53, 95% CI 0.46; 7.52) indexes. Total PA was related to RMSSD (ß = 1.70, 95% CI 0.04; 3.72). Sports, leisure time/commuting, and total PA were related to higher parasympathetic modulation, while occupational PA was related to higher sympathetic modulation to the heart in adults.

Is physical activity associated with resting heart rate in boys and girls? A representative study controlled for confounders / A atividade física está associada à frequência cardíaca de repouso em meninos e meninas? Estudo representativo controlado para fatores de confusão

Abstract Objective: Investigate the relationship between different domains of physical activity and resting heart rate (RHR) in boys and girls. Method: The sample included 1011 adolescents, aged between 10 and 17 years. RHR was measured by a heart rate monitor and physical activity was assessed in total and in three different domains (school, occupational, and sports practice) by a questionnaire. Anthropometry was directly obtained for body mass index and central fat. Ethnicity, sedentary behavior, and smoking habits were self-reported and used to adjust the analysis, through hierarchical linear regression. Results: Total physical activity was associated with low RHR in boys (β = −0.52; 95% CI: −0.92, −0.12) and girls (β = −0.67; 95% CI: −1.07, −0.28). Although sporting physical activities were associated with low RHR in both boys (β = −0.58; 95% CI: −1.05, −0.11) and girls (β = −0.87; 95% CI: −1.34, −0.39), occupational physical activity was related to low RHR only in boys (β = −1.56; 95% CI: −2.99, −0.14). Conclusion: The practice of physical activity in the sport practice domain and total physical activity were related to low RHR in both sexes, while occupational physical activities were associated with RHR only in boys.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar a relação entre diferentes domínios de atividade física e frequência cardíaca de repouso (FCRep) em meninos e meninas. Método A amostra incluiu 1.011 adolescentes, entre 10 e 17 anos. A FCRep foi medida por um monitor de frequência cardíaca e a atividade física foi avaliada no total e em três diferentes domínios (escolar, ocupacional e prática esportiva) através de um questionário. A antropometria foi obtida diretamente para o índice de massa corporal e gordura central. Etnia, comportamento sedentário e tabagismo foram autorrelatados e usados para ajustar a análise, através da regressão linear hierárquica. Resultados A atividade física total foi associada à baixa FCRep nos meninos (β = −0,52; IC95% −0,92; −0,12) e meninas (β = −0,67; IC95% −1,07; −0,28). Embora as atividades físicas esportivas estivessem associadas à baixa FCRep em ambos, meninos (β = −0,58; IC95% −1,05, −0,11) e meninas (β = −0,87; IC95% −1,34, −0,39), a atividade física ocupacional estava relacionada à baixa FCRep apenas em meninos (β = −1,56; IC95% −2,99; −0,14). Conclusão A prática de atividade física no domínio da prática esportiva e a atividade física total foram relacionadas à baixa FCRep em ambos os sexos, enquanto as atividades físicas ocupacionais foram associadas à FCRep apenas em meninos.

Sedentary behavior is more related with cardiovascular parameters in normal weight than overweight adolescents.

This study analyzed the relationship between sedentary behavior and cardiovascular parameters in normal weight and overweight adolescents. The sample included 449 boys and 555 girls with mean age of 13 years from public schools, which were divided into five geographical regions, with data collections performed in one selected school from each region. Sedentary behavior was assessed by screen time on TV, computer, videogame and cell phone/tablet, with good reliability in adolescents. Physical activity was assessed by Baecke's questionnaire, validated for adolescents. Measures of body weight, height and waist circumference were collected. Adolescents were classified as overweight or normal weight by cut-off points of body mass index for age and sex. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated by oscillometric device and heart rate by specific monitor. Computer use was positively related to systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß = 0.35; 95%CI = 0.07-0.62) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (ß = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.05-0.44) in normal weight but not in overweight adolescents. Similar results were observed for cell phone/tablet in SBP (ß = 0.46; 95%CI = 0.20-0.72) and DBP (ß = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.18-0.54), only for normal weight. The cluster of screen time was related to SBP in normal weight (ß = 0.44; 95%CI = 0.03-0.84) and overweight (ß = 0.60; 95%CI = 0.01-1.19). Screen time in computer and cell phone/tablet was more related to cardiovascular parameters in normal weight than overweight adolescents.