Comparison of cardiorespiratory fitness between preschool children with normal and excess body adipose ~ An observational study

Abstract

ObjectiveOverweight and obesity in preschoolers might develop into childhood and even adulthood obesity. Overweight and obesity have been shown to be negatively related with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children and adults but few studies did among preschoolers. We aimed to evaluate whether excess body adipose is negatively associated with CRF in both the submaximal and maximal effort of preschool children in exercise testing and to examine if there is difference to achieve maximal effort during exercise testing between preschoolers with normal and excess body adipose.MethodsData of 106 preschoolers aged 4–6 that received symptom-limited treadmill exercise testing was analyzed. Anthropometry was measured by vector bioelectrical impedance analysis. Excess body adipose was defined as (1) ‘overweight’ and ‘obesity’ by body mass index (BMI), (2) fat mass index (FMI) greater than the sex- and age-specific 75th percentile of whole subjects, and (3) fat-free mass index (FFMI) smaller than the sex- and age-specific 25th percentile. CRF was indicated by metabolic equivalent (MET) at anaerobic threshold (AT MET), peak MET, oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) calculated by the 50% (OUES-50) and the entire (OUES-100) duration of the exercise testing.ResultsPreschoolers with excess body adipose by three different definitions (BMI, FMI, and FFMI) all had poorer ability to perform maximal effort (p = 0.004, 0.043, and 0.007, respectively). Preschoolers with excess body adipose by BMI and FFMI classifications had lower OUES-50 (p = 0.018, and 0.001, respectively), and lower OUES-100 (p = 0.004, and 0.001, respectively) than peers with normal body adipose during exercise testing while those with excess body adipose by FMI classification showed no significant differences from peers with normal body adipose in both OUES-50 and OUES-100.ConclusionsPreschoolers with excess body adipose had lower CRF significantly during treadmill exercise testing. Weight control and health promotion should start as early as possible.

New kids on the CPET: age-appropriate outdoor cardiopulmonary exercise testing in preschoolers

“…Other TM-studies reported maximum heart rates ranging from 194 ± 11/min in 6-year-olds (van der Cammen-van Zijp et al 2010 ), up to an average of nearly 200/min in 5–6-year-old children (LeMura et al 2001 ). However, a study with a comparable age group (5.58 years in girls and 5.86 years in boys) recorded comparable values to our study (178–184/min) (Tuan et al 2019 ). These considerations underline the fact that better cardiopulmonary exertion was reached during the outdoor test compared to the indoor TM test, which was also reflected by the significantly higher values of max , O 2 pulse, and maximum breath rate (BR).…”

“…Average values of 1.05–1.10 have been reported for testing 6–7-year-old-children on a treadmill (Eiberg et al 2005 ). In a TM-study on preschoolers using a ramp protocol instead of a stepwise increase of the workload, RER values as high as 1.03–1.18 were achieved (Tuan et al 2019 ). Our results for the outdoor test are comparable, showing maximum cardiorespiratory exertion.…”

“…In addition, the rather large increases between the different steps and a step-duration of 3 min each are difficult, as boredom and demotivation step in (Duff et al 2017 ). Several attempts have been made, to modify the Bruce protocol for a better suitability for children (van der Cammen-van Zijp et al 2009 ; Dubowy et al 2008 ; Eiberg et al 2005 ; Tuan et al 2019 , 2018 ).…”

Comparison of Peak Oxygen Consumption During Exercise Testing Between Sexes Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan

“…FFM has a powerful influence onVO 2 in children regardless of sexes (10). Our previous study also showed that preschoolers with higher FFMI had better peakVO 2 during treadmill exercise testing (48). Since boys had higher FFMI than girls in all four groups, it is reasonable to find the discrepancy in peakVO 2 between sexes.…”

Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In children and adolescents, CRF has been linked to better cognitive function [18], lower adiposity [19], and improved cardiometabolic health [20]. Two previous systematic reviews have suggested that CRF is inversely associated with depressive symptoms in children and adolescents [21,22].…”