Abstract 15976: Age and Sex Differences in the Association of Habitual Physical Activity With Cardiovascular Structure and Function in Community-Dwelling Adults

Abstract

Introduction: The association of habitual physical activity (PA) with subclinical cardiovascular remodeling and their modifications by age and sex are not well understood in community-dwelling adults. Methods: We studied 5685 (mean age 49±15 y, 53% F) participants of the Framingham Heart Study 2 nd generation Exam 8 (2005-2008) and 3 rd generation Exam 1 (2002-2005) without cardiovascular disease (CVD) and with PA, echocardiography [left ventricular mass, volume (LVM, LVEDV)], and applanation tonometry (aortic stiffness, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [CFPWV]. PA was assessed using a validated activity questionnaire. We assessed the relationship of PA to echocardiographic and vascular stiffness measures using linear regression adjusting for CVD risk factors and evaluated age and sex interactions on these relations. Results: Higher PA was overall associated with greater LVM (p<0.0001) and LVEDV (p<0.0001), which appeared driven by those aged <48 years of age (p<0.0001) and men (p≤0.0002 for both LVM and LVEDV) [ TABLE ]. In women, PA was associated with higher LVM (p=0.02) but not LVEDV (p=0.09). There was a borderline inverse association of PA with PWV (p=0.05). In contrast to the association of PA with LV structure, the associations of PA with PWV were significant among age ≥48 years (p=0.005) and women (p=0.008). Conclusions: In a large sample of adults in the community, we observed divergent associations of habitual PA with ventricular and vascular remodeling between age and sex groups. The mechanisms of these differential associations and impact on outcomes deserve further study.