Exercise and fitness are related to peripheral nervous system function in overweight adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the association between physical activity and fitness and peripheral nervous system (PNS) function in overweight and obese individuals.


METHODS
Forty nondiabetic overweight adults (mean +/- SD; age = 44 +/- 11 yr) were recruited for the study. Peroneal motor nerve and radial, sural, and medial plantar sensory nerve conductions were studied. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured in an incremental bicycle ergometer test. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometer and self-reporting. We analyzed the data using multiple stepwise linear regression models adjusted for age, height, and skin temperature.


RESULTS
VO2max predicted 17% of peroneal distal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude variation and 16% of peroneal proximal CMAP amplitude variation. Physical activity index at the age of 30 yr predicted 9% of peroneal motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV), 8% of peroneal F-wave maximum latency, 14% of medial plantar sensory latency, and 10% of medial plantar sensory NCV variation.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity and fitness are positively associated with PNS function and should be encouraged in overweight people.
Isojärvi
Henri
H
Department of Medical Technology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. henriiso@paju.oulu.fi
Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
Sirkka
S
Kallio
Mika
M
Kaikkonen
Kaisu
K
Jämsä
Timo
T
Korpelainen
Juha
J
Korpelainen
Raija
R
D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*