title: Possible underestimation by sports medicine of the effects of early physical exercise practice on the prevention of diseases in adulthood.
abstract: In modern society, combatting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases has been highlighted as an urgent global challenge. In recent decades, the scientific literature has identified that behavioral variables (e.g. smoking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) are related to the development of these outcomes and, therefore, preventive actions should focus on the promotion of physical exercise practice and a healthy diet, as well as combatting the smoking habit from an early age. The promotion of physical exercise in the general population has been suggested as a relevant goal by significant health organizations around the world. On the other hand, recent literature has indicated that physical exercise performed in early life prevents the development of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension during adulthood, although this protective effect seems to be independent of the physical activity performed during adulthood. Apparently, the interaction between physical exercise and human growth in early life constitutes an issue which is not completely understood by sports medicine. The aim of the present review was therefore to discuss recent evidence on the effects of physical exercise performed during childhood and adolescence on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Research Group Related to Physical Activity, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Street Roberto Simonsen, 305, 19060-900 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil. fabiolira@fct.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Romulo Araujo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Manuel Joao
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coelho-E-Silva
authors.forename: Manoel Carlos
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Spiguel Lima
authors.forename: Suziane Ungari
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Cayres
authors.forename: Jamile Sanches
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Codogno
authors.forename: Fabio Santos
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Lira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013178:Sports Medicine