Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Sleep Time: Association with Cardiovascular Hemodynamic Parameters, Blood Pressure and Structural and Functional Arterial Properties in Childhood

Abstract

An association between movement behavior (MB) components (sleep time (ST), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB)) and the state of the cardiovascular (CV) system in children has been postulated. However, it is still controversial whether MB components and/or sub-components (domains) during childhood are independently associated with aortic and peripheral blood pressure (BP), and structural or functional arterial properties. Aims: (1) to evaluate MB components and subcomponents associations with CV characteristics, (2) to analyze the explanatory capacity of interindividual variations in MB on CV properties inter-individual variations at the beginning of school age. Methods: Anthropometric, aortic and peripheral BP, hemodynamic levels (cardiac output, systemic vascular resistances), wave reflection indexes, and arterial structural (diameter, intima–media thickness) and functional (blood flow velocities, Doppler-indexes, local and regional arterial stiffness) parameters of elastic (carotids), transitional (brachial) and muscular (femoral) arteries and time spent in MB (PA questionnaires) were assessed in 816 children (5–6 years). Cardiovascular variables were standardized (z-scores), using age- and sex-related mean values and standard deviations obtained from subjects non-exposed to CV risk factors (CRFs) and who complied with 24 h MB recommendations (reference subgroup). Multiple linear regression models were constructed considering the CV z-scores as dependent variables and CRFs and MB components and subcomponents as independent variables. Results: CV variables showed independent association with MB variations. However, their explanatory capacity on CV characteristics was lesser than that of anthropometric indexes, sex and/or high BP. Conclusions: MB components and sub-components were associated with CV characteristics regardless of other factors, but their capacity to explain variations was lesser than that of anthropometric data, sex or high BP state. MB subcomponents (e.g., sedentary play and screen time in case of SB) showed different (even opposite) associations with CV parameters. ST was associated mainly with indexes of the ventricle ejective function, rather than with CV structural characteristics. SB component and subcomponents were associated with BP, but not with structural parameters. PA component and subcomponents were associated with both BP and structural parameters. The different arterial types, as well central and peripheral parameters showed independent associations with MB components and subcomponents. None of these were independently associated with arterial stiffness.

Center-To-Periphery Arterial Stiffness Gradient Is Attenuated and/or Reversed in Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension

“…This was a cross-sectional study involving non-pregnant and pregnant women from our CUiiDARTE Project database (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). The CUiiDARTE Project is a population-based study developed in Uruguay, supported by the National Public Health Ministry and the Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII).…”

“…The CUiiDARTE Project is a population-based study developed in Uruguay, supported by the National Public Health Ministry and the Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII). Cardiovascular evaluation in the CUiiDARTE Project involves a stepwise protocol using several equipment and devices that measure central, peripheral, and systemic hemodynamic variables, and structural and functional local, regional, and global properties of elastic, muscular, and transitional arteries (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). All procedures and protocols were conducted in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki, approved by the Institution's Ethics Committee.…”

“…Sequences of images (30 s, B-Mode, longitudinal views) were processed to obtain peak systolic and enddiastolic diameters (SysD, DD) and CCA intima-media thickness (IMT; far wall, end-diastole) (32). CCA diameters and IMT were measured a centimeter proximal to the bulb, while BA measurements were obtained at the elbow level in a straight segment of at least 1 cm (32). Carotid arteries were also screened for the presence of atheroma plaques (23,25,26,31).…”

“…Carotid arteries were also screened for the presence of atheroma plaques (23,25,26,31). Local stiffness was quantified by EM (32):…”

“…Radial pulse waves were obtained by the applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor 7.01, AtCor-Medical, Sydney, Australia), and calibrated to baDBP and mean BP [MBP = baDBP + (baSBP-baDBP)/3]. The aoSBP and aoDBP were derived from the radial recordings using a general transfer function (30,32). Finally, local SG was calculated as the quotient between left and right CCA EM (and its average) and BA EM (CCA EM/BA EM).…”