Effect of Aerobic versus Resistance Exercise on Pulse Wave Velocity, Intima Media Thickness and Left Ventricular Mass in Obese Adolescents

Abstract

A cardiovascular comorbidity in obese adolescents is increased aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and left ventricular mass (LVM). We investigated in obese adolescents 1) the risk factors associated with aPWV, cIMT and LVM, and 2) the effects of aerobic (AE) versus resistance (RE) exercise alone (without calorie restriction) on aPWV, cIMT, LVM index (LVMI) and cardiometabolic risk factors. Eighty-one obese adolescents (12-18 yrs, BMI ≥95th percentile) were randomized to 3 months of AE (n = 30), RE (n = 27) or a control group (n = 24). Outcome measures included aPWV, cIMT, LVMI, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), blood pressure (BP) and lipids. At baseline, the strongest correlates of aPWV were body weight (r = .31) and diastolic BP (r = .28); of cIMT were body weight (r=0.26) and CRF (r=-0.25); and of LVMI was CRF (r=0.32) after adjusting for sex and race (p < .05 for all). Despite significant reductions in total fat and improvements in CRF in the AE and RE groups, aPWV, cIMT, LVMI, BP, lipids and body weight did not change as compared with controls (p > .05 for all). Interventions of longer duration or together with weight loss may be required to improve these early biomarkers of CVD in obese adolescents.

Vascular Structure and Function in Children and Adolescents: What Impact Do Physical Activity, Health-Related Physical Fitness, and Exercise Have?

“…By contrast, Horner et al (22) found no change in aortic PWV in obese adolescents who participated in aerobic (treadmill training, 60-75% of VO 2peak ) or resistance (wholebody exercises) interventions for a period of three months. Moreover, Hacke et al (59) implemented preschool exercise lessons (45 min, two times per week for six months) but was unable to detect any improvement in aortic PWV in the intervention group compared to controls.…”

“…As such, we can conclude that exercise interventions with at least moderate levels of intensity can reduce vascular stiffness among pediatric populations at risk. Horner et al (22) and Hacke et al (59) reported no reductions in body mass index in response to these interventions; improvement in vascular function might be linked to a change in anthropometric parameters. It is also possible that the intensity of their intervention was too low to promote measurable changes in vascular function.…”

“…The results of several recent studies suggest a critical role for PA and HRPF in promoting healthy vascular structure and function in children and adolescents (20,21). Interventions that include endurance or resistance exercises have also been introduced in an attempt to improve impaired vascular structure and function in pediatric populations at risk (22,23).…”

Physical Activity and Obesity in Pediatric Exercise Science

“…Horner and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial studying the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on left ventricular mass and vascular function in obese adolescents (9). Their results showed that despite significant reductions in total fat and increases in cardiorespiratory fitness, there were no significant effects observed for aortic pulse wave velocity, carotid intima-media thickness or left ventricular mass, suggesting that interventions of greater duration or intensity may be required to elicit changes in vascular function (9).…”

“…This issue also contains several laboratory-based intervention studies that investigate the effects of different physical activity intensities and modalities on intermediate health markers of cardiovascular function (3,9) and hormonal/inflammatory responses (5,13,16) in overweight and obese children and youth. Horner and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial studying the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on left ventricular mass and vascular function in obese adolescents (9).…”