title: Linking cardiorespiratory fitness classification criteria to early subclinical atherosclerosis in children.
abstract: It is unclear if cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can be used as a screening tool for premature changes in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in paediatric populations. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was 3-fold: (i) to determine if CRF can be used to screen increased cIMT; (ii) to determine an optimal CRF cut-off to predict increased cIMT; and (iii) to evaluate its ability to predict increased cIMT among children in comparison with existent CRF cut-offs. cIMT was assessed with high-resolution ultrasonography and CRF was determined using a maximal cycle test. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted in boys (n = 211) and girls (n = 202) aged 11-12 years to define the optimal sex-specific CRF cut-off to classify increased cIMT (≥75th percentile). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the CRF cut-offs with the risk of having an increased cIMT. The optimal CRF cut-offs to predict increased cIMT were 45.81 and 34.46 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1) for boys and girls, respectively. The odds-ratios for having increased cIMT among children who were unfit was up to 2.8 times the odds among those who were fit (95% confidence interval: 1.40-5.53). Considering current CRF cut-offs, only those suggested by Adegboye et al. 2011. (Br. J. Sports Med. 45(9): 722-728) and Boddy et al. 2012 (PLoS One, 7(9): e45755) were significant in predicting increased cIMT. In conclusion, CRF cut-offs (boys: ≤ 45.8; girls: ≤ 34.5 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) are associated with thickening of the arterial wall in 11- to 12-year-old children. Low CRF is an important cardiovascular risk factor in children and our data highlight the importance of obtaining an adequate CRF.
authors: Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, CIPER - Exercise and Health Laboratory, Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-688 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Melo
authors: Helena
authors: H
authors: Santa-Clara
authors: Diana A
authors: DA
authors: Santos
authors: Nuno M
authors: NM
authors: Pimenta
authors: Cláudia S
authors: CS
authors: Minderico
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Fernhall
authors: Luís B
authors: LB
authors: Sardinha
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: aerobic evaluation; artère carotide commune; common carotid artery; intima-media thickness; paediatric; pédiatrie; recommended values; risk; risque; valeurs recommandées; épaisseur de l’intima-média; évaluation aérobie