Abstract
PurposeTo study the associations of physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with heart rate variability (HRV) in children.MethodsThe participants were a population sample of 377 children aged 6–9 years (49% boys). ST, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) were assessed using a combined heart rate and movement sensor, maximal power output per kilograms of lean body mass as a measure of CRF by maximal cycle ergometer exercise test, and HRV variables (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, and HF) using 5 min resting electrocardiography. Data were analysed by linear regression adjusted for years from peak height velocity.ResultsIn boys, ST was inversely associated (β = − 0.185 to − 0.146, p ≤ 0.049) and MVPA, VPA, PAEE, and CRF were directly associated (β = 0.147 to 0.320, p ≤ 0.048) with HRV variables. CRF was directly associated with all HRV variables and PAEE was directly associated with RMSSD after mutual adjustment for ST, PAEE, and CRF (β = 0.169 to 0.270, p ≤ 0.046). In girls, ST was inversely associated (β = − 0.382 to − 0.294, p < 0.001) and LPA, MPA, VPA, MVPA, and PAEE were directly associated with HRV variables (β = 0.144 to 0.348, p ≤ 0.049). After mutual adjustment for ST, PAEE, and CRF, only the inverse associations of ST with HRV variables remained statistically significant.ConclusionsHigher ST and lower PA and CRF were associated with poorer cardiac autonomic nervous system function in children. Lower CRF in boys and higher ST in girls were the strongest correlates of poorer cardiac autonomic function.
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases cause remarkable individual, public health, and economic burden (Leal et al 2006; Bloom et al 2011; Laslett et al 2012)
The analyses were performed separately for boys and girls, because we found that sex modified the associations of sedentary time (ST), light PA (LPA), and moderate PA (MPA) with heart rate variability (HRV) variables
The main finding of our study was that higher levels of physical activity (PA), lower levels of ST, and higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were associated
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases cause remarkable individual, public health, and economic burden (Leal et al 2006; Bloom et al 2011; Laslett et al 2012). Cardiovascular diseases are typically affecting adults, these diseases have their origin in childhood (Celermajer and Ayer 2006). The prevention of cardiovascular diseases, including the promotion of a physically active lifestyle, should start in childhood (Kavey et al 2003; Celermajer and Ayer 2006). The beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and their clinical manifestations in adults have been extensively documented (Blair and Morris 2009). The reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases is only partly attributed to reduced levels of traditional risk factors due to increased PA and the mechanisms through which PA reduces cardiovascular risk are not completely understood (Green et al 2008)
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