The Effect of Training Status on Carotid Arterial Compliance in Peri-Pubertal Children

Abstract

Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve total systemic arterial compliance in men (Cameron and Dart, Am. Physiol. Soc. 266:1994); however, this effect has yet to be observed in trained children. PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate arterial compliance in sedentary peri-pubertal children, compared with trained peri-pubertal swimmers. METHODS: V02peak, carotid artery compliance (combined ultrasound and applanation tonometry), maturity (Tanner Self-Assessment Scale), blood pressure, height, weight, and lean body mass (lbm; skinfold thickness) were assessed in 14 trained girls (age: 10.5 ± 1.0y), and 7 trained boys (age: 10.6 ± 1.3y) and compared to 8 sedentary girls (age: 10.3 ± 0.96y) and 10 sedentary boys (age: 10.6 ± 1.0y). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the two groups for V02peak (61.3 ± 1.0 vs. 55.6 ± 2.4ml·kg lbm−1·min; p<0.05), carotid pulse pressure (37.9 ± 1.0 vs. 50.6 ± 1.6mmHg; p<0.05) and BMI (18.0 ± 0.5 vs. 19.5 ± 0.5kg·m−2;p<0.05). However, cross-sectional arterial compliance was not different between the two groups (0.18 ± 0.01 vs. 0.18 ± 0.01mm2·mmHg−1, p>0.05). Correlational analyses were performed to assess possible relationships between all variables measured. No significant correlation existed between V02peak and cross-sectional arterial compliance. These results suggest that the relationship between training status, fitness level, and central arterial compliance that exist in adults may not be present prior to the completion of puberty. CONCLUSION: Thus, maturity may have a greater impact on arterial stiffness than training status, as all the subjects we studied were in similar Tanner stages. Supported by NSERC and CIHR.