Nordic walking intervention seems to decrease chemerin and leptin levels, and subjects in this intervention group achieved the most beneficial effects on components of MeS.

Background-Exercise training improves endothelial function in high-risk adolescents, but the influence of habitual leisure-time physical activity on endothelial function in healthy adolescents is unknown. Methods and Results-Brachial artery flow-mediated endothelial function and physical activity habits were assessed in 483 adolescents (13 years of age) participating in an atherosclerosis prevention study (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project for Children [STRIP]). Endothelial function was examined with ultrasound; physical activity was assessed with self-administered questionnaires. A leisure-time physical activity index was calculated by multiplying mean weekly leisure-time exercise intensity, duration, and frequency [boys, 31.2Ϯ23.0 MET h/wk (meanϮSD); girls, 24.0Ϯ20.9 MET h/wk; P for gender differenceϭ0.0003]. Maximum flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and total FMD response (the area under the dilatation curve 40 to 180 seconds after hyperemia) were calculated. In boys, maximum FMD and area under the dilatation curve 40 to 180 seconds after hyperemia were directly associated with leisure-time physical activity index in regression analyses adjusted for brachial artery diameter (maximum FMD, Pϭ0.020; area under the dilatation curve 40 to 180 seconds after hyperemia, Pϭ0.0055). These associations remained significant after further adjustments for body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and systolic blood pressure. A difference of Ϸ50 MET h/wk corresponding to Ϸ10 hours of moderate intensity activity weekly between sedentary and active boys was associated with an Ϸ1% unit difference in maximum FMD. Conclusions-Leisure-time physical activity is directly associated with brachial artery FMD responses in 13-year-old boys, providing evidence that physical activity beneficially influences endothelial function in healthy male adolescents. Lack of association in girls may reflect their overall lower physical activity level.

BackgroundObesity, sedentary lifestyle and poor cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood may increase the risk of health problems later in life.PurposeThe authors studied the association of early childhood weight status with cardiorespiratory fitness and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in adolescence. The stability and associations of LTPA and fitness from childhood through adolescence were also studied.MethodsBody mass index (BMI) was assessed annually since birth in a prospective, longitudinal study. The mean BMI between ages 2 and 7 years indicated weight status at preschool age. Fitness was studied with a shuttle run test at age 9 and with a maximal cycle ergometer test at age 17. The same questionnaire was used to assess LTPA at age 9, 13 and 17. Complete data on preschool BMI, LTPA at ages 13 and 17 and fitness at age 17 years was provided by 351 children, while fitness and LTPA data were available for 74 children at ages 9 and 17.ResultsPreschool BMI was inversely associated with fitness in adolescence independently of adolescent LTPA (p=0.0001). Children who had a high preschool BMI but whose weight status was reduced in adolescence had similar fitness in adolescence as the children with a persistently low BMI. Regardless of the fitness level in childhood, the children whose LTPA increased between age 9 and 17 had a similar adolescent fitness level as persistently active subjects.ConclusionsIt is important to maintain a healthy body weight and a physically active lifestyle from very childhood through adolescence to improve fitness during adolescence.