Peak oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, and arterial stiffness in adolescents

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the associations of peak oxygen uptake ($\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$) and $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at ventilatory threshold ($\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT) with arterial stiffness in adolescents.

Methods

The participants were 55 adolescents (36 girls, 19 boys) aged 16–19 years. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) were measured by non-invasive oscillometric device from right brachial artery level. $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ was directly measured during a maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer. $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT was determined using the equivalents for ventilation (${\dot {V}_{\text{E}}}$/$\dot {V}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_2}$ and ${\dot {V}_{\text{E}}}$/$\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$). $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ and $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT were normalised for body mass (BM) and lean mass (LM). Data were analysed using linear regression analyses and analysis of covariance adjusted for age and sex.

Results

$\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ normalised for BM (β = − 0.445, 95% CI − 0.783 to − 0.107) and $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ normalised for LM (β = − 0.386, 95% CI − 0.667 to − 0.106) were inversely associated with PWVao. A higher $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT normalised for BM (β = − 0.366, 95% CI − 0.646 to − 0.087) and LM (β = − 0.321, 95% CI − 0.578 to − 0.064) was associated with lower PWVao. Adolescents in the lowest third of $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ by LM (6.6 vs. 6.1 m/s, Cohen’s d = 0.33) and $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT by LM (6.6 vs. 6.0 m/s, Cohen’s d = 0.33) had a higher PWVao than those in the highest third of $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ or $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT by LM.

Conclusions

Higher $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ and $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT by BM and LM were related to lower arterial stiffness in adolescents. Normalising $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{2{\text{peak}}}}$ and $\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_2}$ at VT for LM would provide the most appropriate measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in relation to arterial stiffness.