Association of physical activity metrics with indicators of cardiovascular function and control in children with and without type 1 diabetes.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the role of physical activity accumulation in cardiovascular disease risk for children with type 1 diabetes. Improved insight to identify factors of influence in key health outcomes could be provided by considering the entire physical activity profile. METHODS: Pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed cross-sectionally in children with (n = 29, 12.1 ± 2.1 years) and without (n = 19, 12.1 ± 2.1 years) type 1 diabetes. Time spent sedentary and in each physical activity intensity, intensity gradient and average acceleration were derived from seven consecutive days of monitoring with wrist-worn accelerometry. Comparison between groups and influence of physical activity accumulation on cardiovascular metrics were explored with linear mixed models. RESULTS: Diabetic children demonstrated a higher PWV and a greater volume of light physical activity (p < 0.01), a more negative intensity gradient (p < 0.01), a lower average acceleration and less time in bouted moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; p < 0.05). Overall, intensity gradient was strongly correlated with average acceleration, MVPA and bouted MVPA (r2 = 0.89, r2 = 0.80, r2 = 0.79, respectively; all p < 0.05), while average acceleration was correlated with MVPA and bouted MVPA (r2 = 0.85, r2 = 0.83, respectively; p < 0.05). Accounting for disease status, intensity gradient and average acceleration were significant predictors of HRV indices (p < 0.05) and PWV (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overall, MVPA was most associated with central stiffness, highlighting the importance of meeting activity guidelines. Diabetic children demonstrated poorer cardiovascular health than their counterparts, likely attributable to a lower intensity and physical activity volume, identifying physical activity intensity as a key target for future interventions.