Effect of physical activity on the relationship between adiposity and cardiac autonomic modulation in female breast cancer survivors: a longitudinal study.

This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the influence of physical activity (PA) on the relationship between body adiposity and cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) in women survivors of breast cancer. We collected body adiposity through electrical bioimpedance considering body fat percentage (BFP), CAM through heart rate variability (considering RMSSD, SDNN, PNN50, LF (m2), HF (m2), SD1 indexes and SD1/SD2 ratio) and PA through a questionnaire in 64 participants (58.0 ± 9.6 years), recruited through the local association of support for breast cancer and by direct indications from city mastologists. After insertion of PA into the multivariate statistical model, significant attenuation was observed in the relationship between body adiposity and CAM for the indices: SDNN (ß = -0.94; 95 percent CI: -1.93; 0.04; p = .060) and SD1/SD2 (ß = -0.01;95 percent CI = -0.02; 0.001; p = .065). In conclusion, it was observed that PA was able to mitigate the relationships between BFP and CAM (considering SDNN index and SD1/SD2 ratio) in breast cancer survivors.

Association between cardiac autonomic modulation and sedentary behavior in breast cancer survivors: a 12-month cohort study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal influence of sitting time (ST) on cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) and resting heart rate (RHR) in a 12-month cohort of 67 breast cancer survivors. METHODS: CAM was assessed by heart rate variability with heart monitor which also assessed RHR, and ST was self-reported. The relationship between the variables was analyzed by the Pearson correlation and its magnitude by linear regression. RESULTS: At baseline, no associations were found between ST and CAM or RHR. In the delta analyses, a decrease in RMSSD, SD1, and HF(ms2) was associated with sitting time. At 12-month follow-up, there was an increase in the ST and a decrease in RHR. ST was negatively related with CAM (RMSSD, PNN50, and SD1), but no association was observed between ST and RHR. CONCLUSION: The increase in ST was associated with worsening of CAM after 12-month follow-up. Promoting reduction in ST will be an important strategy against cardiovascular impairment in breast cancer survivors.

HRV analysis: undependability of approximate entropy at locating optimum complexity in malnourished children.

INTRODUCTION: Approximate Entropy is an extensively enforced metric to evaluate chaotic responses and irregularities of RR intervals sourced from an eletrocardiogram. However, to estimate their responses, it has one major problem - the accurate determination of tolerances and embedding dimensions. So, we aimed to overt this potential hazard by calculating numerous alternatives to detect their optimality in malnourished children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 70 subjects split equally: malnourished children and controls. To estimate autonomic modulation, the heart rate was measured lacking any physical, sensory or pharmacologic stimuli. In the time series attained, Approximate Entropy was computed for tolerance (0.1→0.5 in intervals of 0.1) and embedding dimension (1→5 in intervals of 1) and the statistical significances between the groups by their Cohen's ds and Hedges's gs were totalled. RESULTS: The uppermost value of statistical significance accomplished for the effect sizes for any of the combinations was -0.2897 (Cohen's ds) and -0.2865 (Hedges's gs). This was achieved with embedding dimension = 5 and tolerance = 0.3. CONCLUSIONS: Approximate Entropy was able to identify a reduction in chaotic response via malnourished children. The best values of embedding dimension and tolerance of the Approximate Entropy to identify malnourished children were, respectively, embedding dimension = 5 and embedding tolerance = 0.3. Nevertheless, Approximate Entropy is still an unreliable mathematical marker to regulate this.

Sedentary behavior is more related with cardiovascular parameters in normal weight than overweight adolescents.

This study analyzed the relationship between sedentary behavior and cardiovascular parameters in normal weight and overweight adolescents. The sample included 449 boys and 555 girls with mean age of 13 years from public schools, which were divided into five geographical regions, with data collections performed in one selected school from each region. Sedentary behavior was assessed by screen time on TV, computer, videogame and cell phone/tablet, with good reliability in adolescents. Physical activity was assessed by Baecke's questionnaire, validated for adolescents. Measures of body weight, height and waist circumference were collected. Adolescents were classified as overweight or normal weight by cut-off points of body mass index for age and sex. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated by oscillometric device and heart rate by specific monitor. Computer use was positively related to systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß = 0.35; 95%CI = 0.07-0.62) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (ß = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.05-0.44) in normal weight but not in overweight adolescents. Similar results were observed for cell phone/tablet in SBP (ß = 0.46; 95%CI = 0.20-0.72) and DBP (ß = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.18-0.54), only for normal weight. The cluster of screen time was related to SBP in normal weight (ß = 0.44; 95%CI = 0.03-0.84) and overweight (ß = 0.60; 95%CI = 0.01-1.19). Screen time in computer and cell phone/tablet was more related to cardiovascular parameters in normal weight than overweight adolescents.

Non-linear regulation of cardiac autonomic modulation in obese youths: interpolation of ultra-short time series.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we applied ultra-short time series of interbeat intervals (RR-intervals) to evaluate heart rate variability through default chaotic global techniques with the purpose of discriminating obese youths from non-obese youth patients. METHOD: Chaotic global analysis of the RR-intervals from the electrocardiogram and pre-processing adjustments was undertaken. The effect of cubic spline interpolations was assessed, while the spectral parameters remained fixed. Exactly, 125 RR-intervals of data were recorded. RESULTS: CFP1, CFP3, and CFP6 were the only significant combinations of chaotic globals when the standard conditions were enforced and at the level p<0.01 (or <1%). These significances were acheived via Kruskal-Wallis and Cohen's ds effects sizes tests of significance after Anderson-Darling and Lilliefors statistical tests indicated non-normal distributions in the majority of cases. Adjustments of the cubic spline interpolation from 1 to 13 Hz were revealed to be inconsequential when measured by Kruskal-Wallis and Cohen's ds, regarding the outcome between the two datasets. CONCLUSION: Chaotic global analysis was offered as a robust technique to distinguish autonomic dysfunction in obese youths. It can discriminate the two different groups using ultra-short data lengths, and no cubic spline interpolations need be applied.

Effects of 9 Months of Martial Arts Training on Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Healthy Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiac autonomic modulation after 9 months of martial arts practice in healthy children and adolescents. METHOD: The study included 59 children and adolescents who were divided into 3 groups: judo, Muay Thai, and control. Heart rate variability was measured by a heart rate monitor, model Polar RS800CX. The intervention occurred twice a week on nonconsecutive days, lasting 60 minutes each session. A 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare participants at baseline. The comparisons between groups at baseline and after the intervention were carried out by a 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULTS: After 9 months of intervention, significant increases were observed for root mean square successive differences, with higher values post compared with baseline (19.5%; P = .04). For SD1, an interaction effect was observed, with increased posttraining values compared with baseline (24.1%; P = .04) for the judo group. Qualitative analysis of the Poincaré plot showed greater dispersion of RR intervals, mainly beat to beat, after the judo intervention compared with the baseline. The Muay Thai and control groups presented no improvement. CONCLUSION: After 9 months of intervention, there were increases in cardiac autonomic modulation of children and adolescents participating in judo training. The practice of martial arts, such as judo, can be encouraged from an early age to improve cardiovascular system functioning, possibly providing protection against cardiovascular problems.

Cardiovascular and metabolic risk markers are related to parasympathetic indices in pre-pubertal adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between different heart rate variability indices, resting heart rate, and cardiovascular markers in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with information from an ongoing cohort study. The sample was composed of 99 adolescents who complied with the following inclusion criteria: aged between 11 and 14 years; enrolled in a school unit of elementary education; absence of any known diseases; no drug consumption; and a formal consent signed by the parents or legal guardians. Weight, height, heart rate variability, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, resting heart rate, intima-media thickness, blood flow, and trunk fatness were measured. Partial correlation and linear regression (expressed by ß and 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]) analyses were used to analyse the relationships between the variables. RESULTS: In the linear regression analysis, even after adjustments for sex, age, trunk fatness, and somatic maturation, parasympathetic activity presented significant correlations with maximum carotid artery blood flow (ß=-0.111 [95%CI=-0.216; -0.007]), systolic blood pressure (ß=-0.319 [95%CI=-0.638; -0.001]), and resting heat rate (ß=-0.005 [95%CI=-0.009; -0.002]). CONCLUSION: Parasympathetic activity at rest is inversely related to maximum and minimum blood flow, triacylglycerol levels, and systolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that heart rate variability has the potential to discriminate pre-pubertal adolescents at increased risk.

Correlation between heart rate variability indexes and aerobic physiological variables in patients with COPD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown a relationship between the level of physical fitness and autonomic variables. However, these relationships have not been investigated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of this study was to correlate the resting heart rate variability (HRV) indexes with aerobic physiological variables obtained at a maximal exercise test in patients with COPD. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with COPD (63 (59-70) years; 46 (35.4-63.7) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)%) underwent assessment of autonomic modulation at rest for 20 min to determine the HRV indexes in time and frequency domains. Soon after that, the patients performed an incremental exercise test to determine the anaerobic threshold (GET), the peak oxygen uptake (VO 2PEAK) and the velocity corresponding to VO 2PEAK (vVO 2PEAK). RESULTS: The indexes that express parasympathetic component as RMSSD (11.4 [7.5-23.8], HF (ms(2)) (35 [17-195] and SD1 (8.1 [5.3-16.8]), correlated with GET (r = 0.39; r = 0.43; r = 0.39 respectively). The indexes that represent the overall variability, SDNN (19.5 [13.9-28.8]), LF (ms(2)) (111 [38-229]), and SD2 (26.8 [18.6-35.4]) correlated with vVO 2PEAK (r = 0.37; r = 0.38; r = 0.37; r = 0.44; r = 0.43; r = 0.46 respectively). Likewise, the indexes LF (ms(2)), LF (nu) (63.2 [46-77,9]), HF (nu) (36.8 [22.1-54]), and LF/HF (1.7 [0.9-3.5]) correlated with VO 2PEAK (r = 0.35; r = 0.35; r = -0.35; r = 0.40 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that HRV indexes at rest may become a predictive tool for aerobic capacity in COPD patients after the development of more consistent methods.

Response of cardiac autonomic modulation after a single exposure to musical auditory stimulation.

The acute effects after exposure to different styles of music on cardiac autonomic modulation assessed through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis have not yet been well elucidated. We aimed to investigate the recovery response of cardiac autonomic modulation in women after exposure to musical auditory stimulation of different styles. The study was conducted on 30 healthy women aged between 18 years and 30 years. We did not include subjects having previous experience with musical instruments and those who had an affinity for music styles. The volunteers remained at rest for 10 min and were exposed to classical baroque (64-84 dB) and heavy metal (75-84 dB) music for 10 min, and their HRV was evaluated for 30 min after music cessation. We analyzed the following HRV indices: Standard deviation of normal-to-normal (SDNN) intervals, root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), percentage of normal-to-normal 50 (pNN50), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio. SDNN, LF in absolute units (ms 2 ) and normalized (nu), and LF/HF ratio increased while HF index (nu) decreased after exposure to classical baroque music. Regarding the heavy metal music style, it was observed that there were increases in SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, and LF (ms 2 ) after the musical stimulation. In conclusion, the recovery response of cardiac autonomic modulation after exposure to auditory stimulation with music featured an increased global activity of both systems for the two musical styles, with a cardiac sympathetic modulation for classical baroque music and a cardiac vagal tone for the heavy metal style.

Cardiac autonomic regulation during exposure to auditory stimulation with classical baroque or heavy metal music of different intensities.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of chronic music auditory stimulation on the cardiovascular system have been investigated in the literature. However, data regarding the acute effects of different styles of music on cardiac autonomic regulation are lacking. The literature has indicated that auditory stimulation with white noise above 50 dB induces cardiac responses. We aimed to evaluate the acute effects of classical baroque and heavy metal music of different intensities on cardiac autonomic regulation. STUDY DESIGN: The study was performed in 16 healthy men aged 18-25 years. All procedures were performed in the same soundproof room. We analyzed heart rate variability (HRV) in time (standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R intervals [SDNN], root-mean square of differences [RMSSD] and percentage of adjacent NN intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 ms [pNN50]) and frequency (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF] and LF/HF ratio) domains. HRV was recorded at rest for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the volunteers were exposed to one of the two musical styles (classical baroque or heavy metal music) for five minutes through an earphone, followed by a five-minute period of rest, and then they were exposed to the other style for another five minutes. The subjects were exposed to three equivalent sound levels (60-70dB, 70-80dB and 80-90dB). The sequence of songs was randomized for each individual. RESULTS: Auditory stimulation with heavy metal music did not influence HRV indices in the time and frequency domains in the three equivalent sound level ranges. The same was observed with classical baroque musical auditory stimulation with the three equivalent sound level ranges. CONCLUSION: Musical auditory stimulation of different intensities did not influence cardiac autonomic regulation in men.

Association of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines with high blood pressure in adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

The 24-h movement guidelines for children and adolescents comprise recommendations for adequate sleep, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB). However, whether adolescents who meet these 24-h movement guidelines may be less likely to have high blood pressure (HBP) has not been established. The present study assessed the association between meeting 24-h movement guidelines and HBP in a school-based sample of 996 adolescents between 10-17 years (13.2 ± 2.4 years, 55.4% of girls). Blood pressure was measured using a digital oscillometric device, while sleep, MVPA and SB were measured using the Baecke questionnaire. The association between the 24-h movement guidelines and HBP was performed using binary logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, and body mass index. It was observed that less than 1% of the sample meet the three 24-h movement guidelines. The prevalence of HBP was lower in adolescents who meet all three movement 24-h guidelines (11.1%) compared to those who did not meet any guidelines (27.2%). Individual 24-h movement guidelines analysis showed that adolescents with adequate sleep were 35% less likely to have HBP (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.46-0.91). Meeting sleep guidelines combined with meeting MVPA (OR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.50-0.95) or SB (OR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.48-0.94) was inversely associated with HBP. Adolescents who meet two or three 24-h movement guidelines were respectively 47% (OR = 0.53; 95% CI 0.29-0.98) and 34% (OR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.48-0.91) less likely to have HBP. In adolescents, meeting sleep and 24-h movement guidelines were inversely associated with HBP.

Association Between Physical Activity Levels in Different Domains and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors frequently present cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Physical activity (PA) has been associated with better cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) in breast cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the association between CAM and PA levels performed in different domains (work and occupation, sport and exercise, and leisure time and commuting) in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 99 breast cancer survivors (age, 55.3 ± 10.4 years). Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate variability, and PA levels at work and occupation, sport and exercise, and leisure time and commuting were assessed using the Baecke PA questionnaire. The sum of these 3 domains provided the total PA. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare CAM between active and inactive women in different domains of PA. RESULTS: Cardiac autonomic modulation was similar between active and inactive women in the different domains ( P > .05). However, when considering the total PA, active breast cancer survivors presented higher SDNN (average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals) (20.0 ± 13.4 vs 28.8 ± 14.0; P = .008) and SD2 (standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats) indices (29.2 ± 17.3 vs 38.7 ± 19.9; P = .005) compared with their inactive counterparts. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors with higher total PA presented better CAM compared with their less active peers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of this study are promising and show the importance of increasing PA levels in different domains for the maintenance of cardiovascular health among breast cancer survivors.

Association of Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adulthood: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Practicing sports during childhood and adolescence provides benefits to cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) at these stages of life. However, it is not known whether these benefits to CAM persist into adulthood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the association of early sports practice (sports practice in childhood and/or adolescence) with CAM in adult life, regardless of habitual moderate-to-vigorous PA. METHODS: The sample of the present study consisted of 242 adults (141 women and 101 men; age: 41.99 ± 16.24). The assessment of CAM was performed using heart rate variability indices. Sports practice in childhood and adolescence was assessed using a questionnaire. The intensity of physical activity was assessed using accelerometry. To analyze the association between previous sports practice (childhood and/or adolescence) and CAM, the Generalized Linear Model was adopted, considering CAM indices as continuous variables and early sports practice as a 3-fold factor (no sports practice; sports practice in childhood or adolescence; and sports practice in both childhood and adolescence) adjusted by sex, age, socioeconomic condition, and moderate to vigorous PA. RESULTS: Sports practice in childhood was associated with the average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals expressed in milliseconds (SDNN): ß = 5.89; 95%CI: 0.25;11.52, and the standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats (SD2): ß = 7.63; 95%CI:1.04; 14.23 indices. Sports practice in adolescence was associated in adulthood with the SD2 index: ß = 7.37; 95%CI: 0.71;14.04. Sports practice in at least one of the periods (childhood or adolescence) was significantly associated with the square root of the mean square of the differences between adjacent normal RR intervals for a period of time expressed in milliseconds (RMSSD) (ß = 8.86; 95%CI = 0.71;17.01), and the standard deviation of the instantaneous beat to beat variability (SD1) (ß = 6.21; 95%CI = 0.45;11.97). Sports practice at both stages of life was significantly associated with better SDNN (ß = 7.70; 95%CI = 1.16;14.23) and SD2 (ß = 10.18; 95%CI = 2.51;17.85). CONCLUSION: Early sports practice was associated with better CAM in adulthood, independently of the current physical activity level. Based on these findings, sports practice is encouraged from childhood and adolescence, for benefits to CAM in adult life.

The effects of different styles of musical auditory stimulation on cardiac autonomic regulation in healthy women.

The literature investigated the effects of chronic baroque music auditory stimulation on the cardiovascular system. However, it lacks in the literature the acute effects of different styles of music on cardiac autonomic regulation. To evaluate the acute effects of baroque and heavy metal music on heart rate variability (HRV) in women. The study was performed in 21 healthy women between 18 and 30 years old. We excluded persons with previous experience with music instrument and those who had affinity with the song styles. All procedures were performed in the same sound-proof room. We analyzed HRV in the time (standard deviation of normal-to-normal respiratory rate (RR) intervals, root-mean square of differences between adjacent normal RR intervals in a time interval, and the percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 ms) and frequency (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and LF/HF ratio) domains. HRV was recorded at rest for 10 min. Subsequently they were exposed to baroque or heavy metal music for 5 min through an earphone. After the first music exposure they remained at rest for more 5 min and them they were exposed again to baroque or heavy metal music. The sequence of songs was randomized for each individual. The power analysis provided a minimal number of 18 subjects. Shapiro-Wilk to verify normality of data and analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by the Bonferroni test for parametric variables and Friedman's followed by the Dunn's post-test for non-parametric distributions. During the analysis of the time-domain indices were not changed. In the frequency-domain analysis, the LF in absolute units was reduced during the heavy metal music stimulation compared to control. Acute exposure to heavy metal music affected the sympathetic activity in healthy women.

Association of cardiac autonomic modulation with different intensities of physical activity in a small Brazilian inner city: A gender analysis.

Physical activity has been linked to higher cardiac autonomic modulation. However, it is not clear in the literature which type of intensity of physical activity (sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous) could be related to better cardiac autonomic modulation and whether this relationship is similar in men and women. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and the different intensities of physical activity in men and women. The sample included 100 men and 131 women. Cardiac autonomic modulation was obtained by heart rate variability (SDNN, RMSSD, LF un, HF un, SD1, and SD2). Time spent in different intensities (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity) was measured using a waist-worn accelerometer for seven days. Linear regression was used to verify the relationship between physical activity and cardiac autonomic modulation, considering the adjustment for age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level. Among men, a significant relationship of moderate intensity was observed with SDNN (ß = 2.442; p = 0.021) and SD2 (ß = 2.936, p = 0.028), and of vigorous intensity with SDNN (ß = 12.826, p = 0.028), RMSSD (ß = 16.370, p = 0.018), and SD1 (ß = 12.344, p = 0.025) indices. Among women, light-intensity physical activity was significantly related with LFnu (ß = .655, p = 0.005) and HFnu (ß = -.590, p = 0.010). Moderate and vigorous physical activity was associated with better cardiac autonomic modulation in men. Light physical activity was associated with lower sympathetic modulation in women.

Influence of physical fitness of coronary disease patients on vagal reentry and heart rate recovery after exercise with and without fluid replacement.

BACKGROUND: Fluid replacement during exercise has been studied as an important strategy to enhance recovery, however, studies are needed to investigate the effect of this strategy in different physical profiles. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of physical fitness of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients on vagal reentry and heart rate recovery after exercise performed with and without fluid replacement. METHODS: Nonrandomized crossover clinical trial. Thirty-three CAD patients were submitted to (I) cardiopulmonary exercise test: to divide the sample into lower and higher VO2  peak groups; (II) control protocol (CP): composed of rest, aerobic exercise and passive recovery; (III) hydration protocol (HP): composed of the same activities as the CP, but with water intake during exercise. The recovery was evaluated by vagal reentry and heart rate recovery immediately after exercise. RESULTS: The results did not show significant differences between the higher and lower VO2  peak groups. In addition, the hydration strategy adopted was not able to cause significant changes between control and HPs, regardless of group. However, a time effect was observed, suggesting anticipation of vagal reactivation and heart rate reduction in HP. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness did not influence vagal reentry and heart rate recovery in CAD patients after exercise. However, the hydration strategy seems to have anticipated vagal reentry and produced a more efficient reduction in heart rate regardless of the individuals' physical fitness, but these results should be analyzed with caution due to the absence of significant differences between groups and protocols.

Association of Early Sports Practice with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Sports practice in childhood and adolescence has been inversely related to the chances of developing cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs). However, it is not clear whether sports practice in childhood and adolescence could be inversely related to CRF in adult life. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the association between early sports practice and cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized sample of community-dwelling adults. METHODS: For this, 265 adults aged ≥ 18 years composed the sample. Cardiovascular risk factors of obesity, central obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were collected. Early sports practice was retrospectively self-reported using an appropriate instrument. Total physical activity level was assessed by accelerometry. The association between early sports practice and cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood was analyzed by binary logistic regression, adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. RESULTS: Early sports practice was observed in 56.2% of the sample. The prevalence of central obesity (31.5 vs. 50.0%; p = 0.003), diabetes (4.7% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.014), dyslipidemia (10.7% vs. 24.1%; p = 0.005), and hypertension (14.1% vs. 34.5%; p = 0.001) was lower in participants who reported early sports practice. Participants who reported early sports practice in childhood and adolescence were, respectively, 60% (OR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.19-0.82) and 59% (OR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.21-0.82) less likely to have hypertension in adult life when compared to those with no early sports practice, independently of sex, age, socioeconomic status, and habitual physical activity level in adulthood. CONCLUSION: Early sports practice in childhood and adolescence was a protective factor for hypertension in adulthood.

Sidestream cigarette smoke effects on cardiovascular responses in conscious rats: involvement of oxidative stress in the fourth cerebral ventricle.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette exposure increases brain oxidative stress. The literature showed that increased brain oxidative stress affects cardiovascular regulation. However, no previous study investigated the involvement of brain oxidative stress in animals exposed to cigarette and its relationship with cardiovascular regulation. We aimed to evaluate the effects of central catalase inhibition on baroreflex and cardiovascular responses in rats exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke (SSCS). METHODS: We evaluated males Wistar rats (320-370 g), which were implanted with a stainless steel guide cannula into the fourth cerebral ventricle (4th V). Femoral artery and vein were cannulated for mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) measurement and drug infusion, respectively. Rats were exposed to SSCS during three weeks, 180 minutes, 5 days/week (CO: 100-300 ppm). Baroreflex was tested with a pressor dose of phenylephrine (PHE, 8 µg/kg, bolus) to induce bradycardic reflex and a depressor dose of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 50 µg/kg, bolus) to induce tachycardic reflex. Cardiovascular responses were evaluated before, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATZ, catalase inhibitor, 0.001 g/100 µL) injection into the 4th V. RESULTS: Central catalase inhibition increased basal HR in the control group during the first 5 minutes. SSCS exposure increased basal HR and attenuated bradycardic peak during the first 15 minutes. CONCLUSION: We suggest that SSCS exposure affects cardiovascular regulation through its influence on catalase activity.