Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels Research Articles

Does Cardiorespiratory Fitness Protect Memory from Sleep Deprivation?

Animal studies have demonstrated that physical exercise can protect memory from the effects of sleep deprivation (SD). We examined whether having a high cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O 2peak ) is associated with an enhanced capacity to encode episodic memory after one night of SD. Twenty-nine healthy young participants were allocated into either an SD group ( n = 19) that underwent 30 h of uninterrupted wakefulness, or a sleep control (SC) group ( n = 10) that followed a regular sleep routine. Following either the SD or SC period, participants were asked to view 150 images as the encoding part of the episodic memory task. Ninety-six hours after viewing the images, participants returned to the laboratory to perform the recognition part of the episodic memory task, which required the visual discrimination of the 150 images previously presented from 75 new images introduced as distractors. Cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O 2peak ) was assessed with a bike ergometer graded exercise test. Group differences in memory performance were assessed with independent t tests and associations between V̇O 2peak and memory with multiple linear regression. The SD group showed a significant increase in subjective fatigue (mean difference [MD] [standard error {SE}] = 38.94 [8.82]; P = 0.0001) and a worse capacity to identify the original 150 images (MD [SE] = -0.18 [0.06]; P = 0.005) and discriminate them from distractors (MD [SE] = -0.78 [0.21] P = 0.001). When adjusted for fatigue, higher V̇O 2peak was significantly associated with better memory scores in the SD (R 2 = 0.41; β [SE] = 0.03 [0.01]; P = 0.015) but not in the SC group ( R2 = 0.23; β [SE] = 0.02 [0.03]; P = 0.408). These results confirm that SD before encoding impairs the capacity to create robust episodic memories and provide preliminary support to the hypothesis that maintaining high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness could have a protective effect against the disruptive effects of sleep loss on memory.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of Aortic Stenosis (from a Prospective Cohort Analysis)

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a major risk factor and predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between CRF and risk of aortic stenosis (AS) has not been previously investigated. Thus, we aimed to assess the prospective association between CRF and risk of AS. CRF, as measured by maximal oxygen uptake, was assessed using a respiratory gas exchange analyzer during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 2,308 men aged 42 to 61 years recruited into the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease prospective cohort study. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for AS. During a median follow-up of 27 years, 101 cases of AS occurred. Dose-response analysis suggested there might be a nonlinear relation between CRF levels and AS risk. In an analysis adjusted for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease, the HRs 95% (CIs) of AS were 0.57 (0.34 to 0.96) and 0.91 (0.53 to 1.57) for participants in the middle and upper third of CRF levels, respectively, compared with participants in the bottom third. After further adjustment for alcohol consumption, the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) were 0.58 (0.34 to 0.97) and 0.91 (0.53 to 1.56), respectively. In conclusion, higher CRF levels may be associated with a lower incidence of AS in middle-aged and older Finnish men. Given the likely limitations of low statistical power, further research is needed to provide insights into the dose-response nature of any relationship between CRF and AS.

Role of physical activity and health-related fitness on self-confidence and interpersonal relations in 14-year-old adolescents from secondary school settings: DADOS study.

The effect of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) on self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents is uncertain. To analyzed the associations of PA and PF with self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents. A total of 268 (138 boys) adolescents (13.9 ± 0.3 years) from the DADOS study were included in the analysis. PA was evaluated using GENEActiv accelerometers and the health-related PF components by the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. The levels of self-confidence and interpersonal relations were determined by the Behavior Assessment System for Children Level 3. The associations of PA levels and PF components with self-confidence reported positive associations of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA), standing long jump, and 20-m shuttle run (shuttle run test) tests (all p < 0.05), and negative association of 4 × 10-m shuttle run test (4 × 10-m test), but only the 4 × 10-m test remained significant in the adjusted model for the whole sample and only in boys (p ≤ 0.01) when analyzed by sex. Regarding interpersonal relations, positive associations of standing long jump and shuttle run test (all p < 0.05), and negative association of 4 × 10-mtest were found in all the adolescents. The shuttle run test was associated with interpersonal relations in boys independently of confounders. PA levels were not associated with interpersonal relations. A higher level of lower-limb muscle strength, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness might improve self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents, but these relationships seem to be influenced by sex, body mass index, and pubertal status. Speed-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to have a stronger impact on boys. MVPA may improve self-confidence in adolescents.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk among in-patients with depression compared to healthy controls.

Compared to the general population, individuals with depression have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, little is known so far whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) moderates this relationship. Therefore, we examined whether common physiological cardiovascular risk factors differ between patients with depression and healthy (non-depressed) controls, whether patients and controls differ in CRF, and whether higher CRF is associated with a lower cardiovascular risk in both patients and healthy controls. Additionally, we examined whether within the patient sample, cardiovascular risk factors differ between patients with mild, moderate and severe depression, and whether the relationship between symptom severity and cardiovascular risk is moderated by patients' CRF levels. Data from a multi-centric, two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) was analyzed, including 210 patients (F32, single episode: n = 72, F33, recurrent major depression: n = 135, F31-II, bipolar type II: n = 3) and 125 healthy controls. Waist circumference, body mass index, body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and blood glucose were considered as cardiovascular risk markers. CRF was assessed with a submaximal ergometer test. Differences between groups were examined via χ2-tests and (multivariate) analyses of covariance. Compared to healthy controls, patients with depression had a higher cardiovascular risk as evident from about half of the examined indicators. In the total sample, participants with good CRF had more favourable scores across nearly all risk markers than counterparts with poor CRF. For most variables, no interaction occurred between group and fitness, indicating that in patients and controls, similar differences existed between participants with poor and good CRF. Few differences in risk markers were found between patients with mild, moderate and severe depression, and no interaction occurred between depression severity and CRF. Patients with depression and healthy controls differ in several cardiovascular risk markers, putting patients at increased risk for CVDs. In contrast, people with good CRF show more favourable cardiovascular risk scores, a relationship which was observed in both healthy controls and patients with depression. Physical health of psychiatric patients should receive the clinical attention that it deserves. Lifestyle interventions targeting healthy diet and/or physical activity are recommended as a physically active and healthy lifestyle contributes equally to patients' mental well-being and cardiovascular health.

Cardiorespiratory fitness modulates prestimulus EEG microstates during a sustained attention task.

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with an increased ability to perform sustained attention tasks and detect rare and unpredictable signals over prolonged periods. The electrocortical dynamics underlying this relationship were mainly investigated after visual stimulus onset in sustained attention tasks. Prestimulus electrocortical activity supporting differences in sustained attention performance according to the level of cardiorespiratory fitness have yet to be examined. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate EEG microstates 2 seconds before the stimulus onset in 65 healthy individuals aged 18-37, differing in cardiorespiratory fitness, while performing a psychomotor vigilance task. The analyses showed that a lower duration of the microstate A and a higher occurrence of the microstate D correlated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness in the prestimulus periods. In addition, increased global field power and occurrence of microstate A were associated with slower response times in the psychomotor vigilance task, while greater global explained variance, coverage, and occurrence of microstate D were linked to faster response times. Our collective findings showed that individuals with higher cardiorespiratory fitness exhibit typical electrocortical dynamics that allow them to allocate their attentional resources more efficiently when engaged in sustained attention tasks.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life in survivors of childhood central nervous system tumours

PurposeWe assessed cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in survivors of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumours.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the National Children’s Cancer Service in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis of a primary CNS tumour, aged between 6 and 17 years, between 3 months and 5 years post completion of oncology treatment, independently mobile, and deemed clinically appropriate to participate by treating oncologist. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the six-minute walk test. HRQoL was assessed with the PedsQL Generic Core Scales, Version 4.0.ResultsThirty-four participants (n = 16 male) were recruited, with a mean age of 12.21 ± 3.31 years and a mean time since completion of oncology treatment of 2.19 ± 1.29 years. Mean six-minute walk distance (6MWD) achieved was 489.56 ± 61.48 m, equating to the 8th percentile overall. 6MWD was significantly reduced when compared to predicted population norms (p < 0.001). PedsQL parent proxy-report and child-report scores were significantly lower when compared to healthy paediatric norms (p < 0.001 – p = 0.011). A significant positive correlation was found between 6MWD and both parent proxy-report (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and child-report (r = 0.48, p = 0.005) PedsQL total scores.ConclusionSurvivors of childhood CNS tumours present with impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL. Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with higher levels of HRQoL.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsRoutine screening of cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL in survivors of childhood CNS tumours may be beneficial. Healthcare providers should encourage and provide education on the potential benefits of physical activity to improve overall quality of life.

#6919 CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS AND MORTALITY RISK IN PATIENTS RECEIVING HEMODIALYSIS: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT

Abstract Background and Aims Kidney failure reduces life expectancy by one-third compared with the general population, and cardiovascular complications and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are the main causes. We aimed to evaluate the association between severe CRF and all-cause mortality risk in HD patients. Method This observational prospective cohort study followed-up patients receiving HD from August 2015 until March 2022. Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated through the cardiopulmonary exercise test and the peak of oxygen uptake (VO2peak) value was used to determine severe CRF (&amp;lt;15 mL·kg−1·min−1). Cox regression and Univariate Kaplan-Meier evaluated its association with mortality risk and survival rate. Results Forty-eight patients were followed-up for a median of 33.0 [14.3 – 49.3] months. A total of 26 patients had severe CRF. During the follow-up period, 11 patients (22.92%) experienced all-cause mortality. From these, eight (30.8%) had severe CRF. Even so, severe CRF was not associated with crude death rates for patients stratified by CRF levels (p = 0.189), neither in unadjusted (HR 2.35; CI 95% 0.61−9.15) and adjusted (HR 1.29; CI 95% 0.30−5.56) Cox proportional hazard models. As a continuous variable, each mL·kg−1·min−1 increase in VO2peak was not associated with mortality risk (HR 0.94; CI 95% 0.79−1.11). Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that severe CRF patients did not have significantly worse survival rates than those with mild-moderate CRF (p = 0.186). Conclusion Our findings indicated that severe CRF was not associated with all-cause mortality in patients receiving HD. Despite severe CRF being prevalent, larger cohort studies are needed to establish strong conclusions on its association with all-cause mortality.

Interplay Between Fitness, Systolic Blood Pressure and Sudden Cardiac Death (from a Cohort Study)

Modifiable risk factors, such as blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) play a role in the genesis of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, data on their joint contributions to SCD risk are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the interplay between systolic blood pressure (SBP), CRF, and SCD risk in a cohort of men. Resting SBP was measured using a random-zero sphygmomanometer and CRF was assessed using a respiratory gas exchange analyzer during clinical exercise testing at baseline in 2,291 men aged 42 to 61years. SBP was classified as normal and high (<140 and ≥140mm Hg, respectively) and CRF as low, medium, and high. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SCD. A total of 262 SCDs occurred during a median follow-up of 28.2years. Comparing high versus normal SBP, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for SCD was 1.35 (1.03 to 1.76). Comparing low versus high CRF levels, the corresponding adjusted HR (95% CI) for SCD was 1.81 (1.23 to 2.65). The HRs remained similar when SBP was further adjusted for CRF and CRF was further adjusted for SBP. Men with high SBP and low CRF compared with normal SBP and medium-high CRF, had an increased risk of SCD (HR 2.67, 95% CI 1.76 to 4.05), with no significant evidence of an association between men with high SBP and medium-high CRF and SCD risk (HR 1.38, 95% CI 0.84 to 2.26). There was modest evidence of an additive interaction between SBP and CRF in relation to SCD. In conclusion, there exists an interplay between SBP, CRF, and SCD risk in middle-aged and older men. Medium to high CRF levels may mitigate the increased risk of SCD in subjects with high SBP.

Influence of physical fitness and weight status on autonomic cardiac modulation in children.

This study provides reference values for cardiovascular modulation at rest, during maximal exercise test and recovery after exercise in Caucasian children according to weight status and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)level. Additionally, the current study analyzed several correlations between autonomic cardiovascular modulation, cardiorespiratory performance and cardiometabolic risk. The principal goal of this study was to analyze cardiac function at rest, during maximum exercise, and during the recovery phase in children grouped according to weight status and CRFlevel. One hundred and fifty-two healthy children (78 girls) 10-16 years of age were divided into three groups: soccer and basketball players (SBG), endurance group (EG), and sedentary people with overweight and obesity (OOG). A cardiac RR interval monitor recorded the cardiac data and specific software analyzed the cardiac autonomic response through heart rate (HR) and HR variability. The study analyzed resting HR (RHR), HRpeak, and HR recovery (HRR). OOG showed significant poorer performance in the Léger test lower V̇O2 max and higher values of blood pressure at rest and post-exercise than sport groups. The EG presented the best results in CRF and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in relation to SBG and OOG. The OOG showed higher percentage of HR values, compatible with an unhealthy cardiovascular autonomic modulation than the sport groups, with significant differences in bradycardia, HR reserve, and HRR 5 min. Aerobic performance, vagal activity, blood pressure, chronotropic competence, and HRR have significant associations with CMR parameters. The current study presents reference values of autonomic cardiac function in Caucasian children according to weight status and cardiorespiratory fitness level. Aerobic performance, vagal activity, blood pressure, chronotropic competence, and heart rate during the recovery period after exercise have significant associations with cardiometabolic risk parameters. Children with overweight and obesity show signs of autonomic dysfunction reflected as low cardiac vagal activity and poor chronotropic competence.

A bout of endurance and resistance exercise transiently decreases plasma levels of bile acids in young, sedentary adults.

Circulating bile acids (BA) are signaling molecules that control glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the effects of acute exercise on plasma levels of BA in humans remain poorly understood. Here, we evaluate the effects of a bout of maximal endurance exercise (EE) and resistance exercise (RE) on plasma levels of BA in young, sedentary adults. Concentration of eight plasma BA was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry before and 3, 30, 60, and 120 min after each exercise bout. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed in 14 young adults (21.8 ± 2.5 yo, 12 women); muscle strength was assessed in 17 young adults (22.4 ± 2.5 yo, 11 women). EE transiently decreased plasma levels of total, primary, and secondary BA at 3 and 30 min after exercise. RE exerted a prolonged reduction in plasma levels of secondary BA (p < 0.001) that lasted until 120 min. Primary BA levels of cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were different across individuals with low/high CRF levels after EE (p ≤ 0.044); CA levels were different across individuals with low/high handgrip strength levels. High CRF individuals presented higher levels of CA and CDCA 120 min after exercise vs baseline (+77% and +65%) vs the low CRF group (-5% and -39%). High handgrip strength levels individuals presented higher levels of CA 120 min after exercise versus baseline (+63%) versus the low handgrip strength group (+6%). The study findings indicate that an individual's level of physical fitness can influence how circulating BA respond to both endurance and resistance exercise. Additionally, the study suggests that changes in plasma BA levels after exercising could be related to the control of glucose homeostasis in humans.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels in Coronavirus Disease Survivors

Introduction: Covid-19 survivors often complain of fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, fever, dermatitis, headache and so on. This decrease then has an impact on changes in cardiorespiratory fitness. Objective: Determine the level of cardiorespiratory fitness in Covid-19 survivors. Method: This study used a cross sectional design. The population of this study is Covid-19 survivors in Makassar City. Sampling using purposive sampling technique with a sample of 385 people. Data collection was carried out by taking primary data through measuring cardiorespiratory fitness levels using the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Results: A total of 236 people (61.3%) Covid-19 survivors had a low level of cardiorespiratory fitness with an average distance value of 507.6 meters. Conclusion: Respondents who come from the adolescent age group, have a normal BMI, high activity, asymptomatic and mild symptoms, and a phase of chronic Covid-19 infection tend to have a good level of cardiorespiratory fitness. While most respondents from the elderly age group, have obese and obese BMI, work as medical personnel with low physical activity, accompanied by comorbidities and the acute Covid-19 infection phase have a low level of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors' anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity could be prevented with good cardiorespiratory fitness levels and regular physical activity. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity with cardiac magnetic resonance parameters. A total of 96 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test and answered physical activity questionnaires. We calculated the odds ratio of the preventive fraction of regular physical activity (≥150min/wk) and adequate cardiorespiratory fitness levels (above the median ≥31.4mL·kg-1·min-1) on cardiac magnetic resonance parameters (left ventricular [LV] and right ventricular [RV] morphological and functional parameters). An adequate cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a significant preventive fraction for LV (up to 84% for LV end-diastolic volume) and RV volumes (up to 88% for RV end-systolic volume). The adjusted analyses highlighted a preventive fraction of 36% to 91% between an adequate cardiorespiratory fitness and LV and RV parameters, late gadolinium enhancement fibrosis, and cardiac magnetic resonance relaxation times. No associations were reported with regular physical activity. This study provides additional evidence regarding the benefits of an adequate cardiorespiratory fitness level for childhood cancer survivors' cardiac health.

Differences in Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity between Special Police Force Members and Elite Basketball Players

The goal of this research is to evaluate and compare the functional abilities of the special anti-terrorist unit from Serbia and professional basketball players. The idea is to determine whether members of the special unit police have high functional abilities and at what level are they compared to professional athletes. The sample of participants, for the purposes of this research, consisted of 162 respondents with an average age of 29.75±8.12 years who were classified into two groups. One group consisted of members of the SAF (special anti-terrorist force) (n=101) of average age 33.74±6.19 years and in other group were elite level professional basketball players from Serbia (n=57), of average age 22.39±4.25 from three Serbian clubs. To measure cardiorespiratory fitness, a cardiopulmonary exercises test (CPET) was performed on a treadmill (HPCOSMOS ®). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), as a measure of aerobic capacity, was determined using the Quark CPET system (Cosmed®) by direct monitoring of gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide). Aerobic ability of members of the Serbian SAF (special anti-teroristic force) can be considered excellent and almost close to the professional athletes, but statisticly lower (p&lt;0.05). Anaerobic capacity is also high and there is no difference in relation to basketball players (p&gt;0.05). These results can be explained by the selection of people who are chosen for this unit, which can be called very rigorous and equated with sports selection. The results of our study point to the fact that a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness is not only required by professional sports, but also by certain professions such as SAF.

Body Composition Is Related to Maximal Effort Treadmill Test Time in Firefighters.

Firefighting tasks may require near maximal levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. Previous research has indicated that body fat percentage (BF%) and aerobic capacity (VO2peak) are related to the performance of firefighting tasks. Since a standard submaximal treadmill test for firefighters is terminated at 85% of maximal heart rate (MHR), key performance information relating to maximal cardiorespiratory effort may not be measured in a submaximal test. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between body composition and time spent running at intensities greater that 85% MHR. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), BF%, MHR (bpm), VO2peak (mL/kg/min), predicted VO2peak (P-VO2peak; mL/kg/min), submaximal treadmill test time (WFIsub Test Time; min), and maximal treadmill test time (WFImax Test Time; min) were collected in fifteen active-duty firefighters. The results indicated that significant relationships (p < 0.05) existed between BF% and VO2peak, BF% and WFImax Test Time, BF% and Tdiff, and VO2peak and WFImax Test Time. P-VO2peak was not significantly different than VO2peak, and the WFImax Test Time was significantly longer than the WFIsub Test Time. These results indicate that a submaximal treadmill test may reasonably predict VO2peak, but key information about physiological work at intensities greater than 85% MHR may be missed when using submaximal effort tests.

A scalable school-based intervention to increase early adolescents' motor competence and health-related fitness.

Schools are key settings for the promotion of students' physical activity, fitness, and motor competence. The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy of a 5-month-long intervention program that aimed to increase students' motor competence and health-related fitness during school days. We conducted a quasi-experimental study with 325 Finnish Grade 5 (Mage = 11.26, SD = 0.33) students from five schools. Two schools were allocated to the intervention group and three schools to the control group. The intervention consisted of three components: (a) weekly 20 min session during regular PE lessons, (b) weekly 20 min session during recess, and (c) daily 5-minute-long classroom activity breaks. All activities were designed to systematically develop different elements of motor competence and fitness. The following assessments were conducted at baseline and 5-months: cardiorespiratory fitness levels were measured by 20-meter shuttle run test, muscular fitness by curl-up and push-up tests, and motor competence by 5-leaps and throwing-catching combination tests. We analyzed the data using a multi-group latent change score modeling. Results showed that students in the intervention group developed significantly better in 20-meter shuttle run test (β = 0.269, p = 0.000, 95% CI [0.141, 0.397]; +5.0 laps), push-up (β = 0.442, p = 0.000, 95% CI [0.267, 0.617]; +6.5 repetitions), curl-up (β = 0.353, p = 0.001, 95% CI [0.154, 0.552]; +7.8 repetitions), and throwing-catching combination tests (β = 0.195, p = 0.019, 95% CI [0.033, 0.356]; +1.1 repetitions) than students in the control group. The intervention program appeared to be feasible and effective in increasing students' cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and object control skills. This indicates that guided school-based physical activity programs can be influential in promoting physical fitness and motor competence among early adolescent students.

Application of european society of cardiology guidelines 2020 on competitive sports eligibility in a large population of subjects with surgically corrected congenital heart disease

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects approximately 0.5-1% of the general population. Thanks to the improvement of medical and surgical techniques, in developed countries 90% of individuals with CHD reach adulthood and, consequently, the demand for participation in sporting activities also increases. Recently, the European Society of Cardiology have given recommendations on participation in recreational and competitive sports (ESC 2020) based on a clinical and functional algorithm. Purpose To show the prevalence of the eligibility for competitive sports proposed by ESC 2020 in a real CHD population and the prevalence of real engagement in physical activity (both competitive and non-competitive). Also, to evaluate the difference in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the impact of training among different sport eligibility classes. Methods Retrospective study of 401 patients with surgically corrected CHD and followed up with cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performed on treadmill or cycle ergometer until patients’ exhaustion. Subjects were divided in 4 classes according with ESC 2020 guidelines and corresponding to the eligibility for all competitive sport (A), all except endurance specialties (B), only for skill disciplines (C) or not eligible (D). Results Median (IQR) age was 18.0(13.0; 21.5) years; 266 patients (66.3%) were males. 34% were in class D, 13% in class B, 25% in class C and 28% in class A. Within the entire population, 179 subjects (44.6%) carried out structured exercise training, corresponding to 60.7% of subjects in class A, 45.1% of those in class B, 41.7% of those in class C and 41.1% of those in class D. VO2peak/Kg was similar between class A [39.2 (33.6-44.4) mL/Kg/min] and B [37.9 (30.6-42.6) mL/Kg/min], but significantly different between class A vs. class C [33.3 (28.3-41.4) mL/Kg/min p&amp;lt;.0001] and class D [32.2 (27.6-39.3) mL/Kg/min p&amp;lt;.0001]. Also, functional impairment, defined as &amp;lt;85% of the predicted for age and sex, resulted significantly higher in patients in the lower classes of sport eligibility (C and D) than in the higher ones, with a prevalence of impaired CRF of 22.5% in class A, 42.5% in class B, 55.1% in class C and 57.0% in class D (p &amp;lt;.0001). Paired comparison showed significant differences in CRF (VO2peak/Kg) between trained and untrained subjects both within and across ESC 2020 classes, while there was no significant difference between paired groups of different classes who presented the same level of physical activity (Figure 1). Conclusions Subjects in class A had better functional capacity than those in C and D classes, but exercise training (competitive or non-competitive) can have a significant impact on CRF level. Figure 1 shows that trained people in D class had higher CRF than untrained in A class, supporting that functional evaluation and an individualized exercise prescription may recruit functional "reserve" by improving the VO2peak as key prognostic component.

The impact of excessive epicardial adipose tissue accumulation on cardiorespiratory fitness in adults without cardiac disease: a cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Background/Introduction Excessive epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with worse exercise capacity and is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Few studies have explored the relationship between EAT, cardiorespiratory fitness in men and women without cardiovascular disease. Purpose To investigate the association between EAT, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical activity levels in asymptomatic men and women of variable degree of adiposity. Methods A total of 239 participants (43% women) free from cardiovascular disease who underwent concurrent quantification of EAT volume assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance and a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) (VO2peak [ml/kg/min]) were studied. Physical activity levels/intensity were measured by questionnaire and using pedometer. Participants were categorized into low-EAT, moderate-EAT, and high-EAT groups on the basis of EAT volume. Results Mean age of participants was 49.8 ± 8.3 years, BMI 26.0 ± 3.7 kg/m2 (15% with obesity), waist circumference 89 ± 11 cm, visceral adipose tissue volume 91.3 ± 51.3 cm3, and EAT volume 9.8 ± 3.1 cm3. EAT volume decreased with increment in cardiorespiratory fitness in men and women of variable adiposity (p&amp;lt;0.05). Men and women with high-EAT had worse cardiometabolic profile (visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, dysglycemia, atherogenic dyslipidemia), and lower cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) than those with low-EAT (all p&amp;lt;0.05). Physical activity levels were comparable across EAT tertiles (p=NS). The association between EAT and cardiorespiratory fitness was no longer significant after controlling for visceral adiposity. Conclusions In men and women of variable degree of adiposity, excessive EAT accumulation is associated with visceral adiposity and worse cardiorespiratory fitness. Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the interplay between EAT and cardiorespiratory fitness, and the development of obesity-related heart failure features.

Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents with obesity

It is unclear if associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cardiometabolic risk factors are independent of degree of obesity, in children with obesity. The aim of this cross-sectional study on 151 children (36.4% girls), 9–17 years, from a Swedish obesity clinic, was to investigate associations between CRF and cardiometabolic risk factors, adjusted for body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS), in children with obesity. CRF was objectively assessed with the Åstrand-Rhyming submaximal cycle ergometer test, and blood samples (n = 96) and blood pressure (BP) (n = 84) according to clinical routine. Obesity specific reference values for CRF were used to create CRF levels. CRF was inversely associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), independent of BMI SDS, age, sex, and height. The inverse associations between CRF and diastolic BP did not remain significant when adjusted for BMI SDS. CRF and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol became inversely associated when adjusted for BMI SDS. Independent of degree of obesity, lower CRF is associated with higher levels of hs-CRP, as a biomarker of inflammation, in children with obesity and regular assessment of CRF should be encouraged. Future research in children with obesity should investigate if low-grade inflammation decreases when CRF is improved.

Influence of Face Masks on Physiological and Subjective Response during 130 Min of Simulated Light and Medium Physical Manual Work-An Explorative Study.

Undesirable side effects from wearing face masks during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to be discussed and pose a challenge to occupational health and safety when recommending safe application. Only few studies examined the effects of continuously wearing a face mask for more than one hour. Therefore, the influence of wearing a medical mask (MedMask) and a filtering facepiece class II respirator (FFP2) on the physiological and subjective outcomes in the course of 130 min of manual work was exploratively investigated. Physical work load and cardiorespiratory fitness levels were additionally considered as moderating factors. Twenty-four healthy subjects (12 females) from three different cardiorespiratory fitness levels each performed 130 min of simulated manual work with light and medium physical workload using either no mask, a MedMask or FFP2. Heart rate, transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressure (PtcO2, PtcCO2) as well as perceived physical exertion and respiratory effort were assessed continuously at discrete time intervals. Wearing comfort of the masks were additionally rated after the working period. There was no difference in time-dependent changes of physiological outcomes when using either a MedMask or a FFP2 compared to not wearing a mask. A stronger increase over time in perceived respiratory effort occurred when the face masks were worn, being more prominent for FFP2. Physical workload level and cardiorespiratory fitness level were no moderating factors and higher wearing comfort was rated for the MedMask. Our results suggest that using face masks during light and medium physical manual work does not induce detrimental side effects. Prolonged wearing episodes appeared to increase respiratory effort, but without affecting human physiology in a clinically relevant way.

Abnormal Thalamic Functional Connectivity Correlates With Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (P12-8.011)

Abnormal Thalamic Functional Connectivity Correlates With Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (P12-8.011)