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A sedentary lifestyle takes a toll on young minds.Credit: University of Jyväskylä
A recent Finnish study shows that high levels of sedentary behavior and lack of exercise from childhood put stress on the heart during adolescence. High cardiac workload predicts heart failure and other heart diseases. Given the results of this study, increasing moderate and vigorous physical activity from an early age is especially important to prevent heart disease.
A joint study by the Faculty of Sport Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä and the Institute of Biomedical Research at the University of Eastern Finland tracked sedentary behavior and physical activity from childhood to adolescence for eight years.
The works are published below American Heart Association Journal.
This study showed that young people who had more sedentary behavior in childhood and lower levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity had higher cardiac workload in adolescence. Cardiac workload was particularly high in adolescents who accumulated low levels of vigorous physical activity.
Furthermore, high levels of sedentary behavior and low levels of physical activity were associated with higher total body fat percentage. Body fat percentage partially explains the association between sedentary behavior, physical activity, and cardiac workload. Light physical activity was not associated with cardiac workload.
The results highlight the importance of increasing physical activity, especially moderately vigorous activity, reducing sedentary behavior, and preventing overweight from childhood to prevent heart disease. I am.
Dr Eero Haapala, from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, said: “Adolescents spend 9 to 10 hours a day sitting, but one in 10 spends 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. It's just people.'' These are alarming numbers. ”
“Engaging in high levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day should be a normal part of childhood and adolescence, as it improves not only heart health but also general health,” Harpala said. Emphasize.
This study is based on the Pediatric Physical Activity and Nutrition (PANIC) study being conducted at the Biomedical Research Institute of the University of Eastern Finland. Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels of 153 adolescents were followed for 8 years from childhood to adolescence. Cardiac function and tone were measured during adolescence.
For more information:
Eero A. Haapala et al., “Accumulation of sedentary time and physical activity from childhood to adolescence and cardiac function in adolescence.” American Heart Association Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.031837
Magazine information:
American Heart Association Journal