0000000001278079
AUTHOR
Niina Lintu
Cross-sectional associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and NMR-derived metabolic biomarkers in children : the PANIC study
Objective: Cardiorespiratory fitness has been inversely associated with cardiovascular risk across the lifespan. Some studies in adults suggest that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with cardioprotective metabolite profile, but the evidence in children is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the cross-sectional association of cardiorespiratory fitness with serum nuclear magnetic resonance derived metabolic biomarkers in children. Methods: A population sample of 450 children aged 6–8 years was examined. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and quantified as maximal power output normalised for lean body mass assessed by dual-energ…
Physical activity and sedentary time in relation to academic achievement in children
Objectives To investigate the independent and combined associations of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) with reading and arithmetic skills. Design Cross-sectional/prospective. Methods Participants were 89 boys and 69 girls aged 6–8 years. MVPA and ST were measured using a combined heart rate and movement sensor and body fat percentage by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Grade 1. Reading fluency, reading comprehension, and arithmetic skills were assessed using standardized tests in Grades 1–3. The data were analyzed using linear regression analyses and analyses of covariance with repeated measures. Results In boys, MVPA was directl…
Cross-sectional associations of objectively-measured physical activity and sedentary time with body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in mid-childhood: The PANIC study
Abstract Background The minimum intensity of physical activity (PA) that is associated with favourable body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) remains unknown. Objective To investigate cross-sectional associations of PA and sedentary time (ST) with body composition and CRF in mid-childhood. Methods PA, ST, body composition and CRF were measured in a population-based sample of 410 children (aged 7.6 ± 0.4 years). Combined heart-rate and movement sensing provided estimates of PA energy expenditure (PAEE, kJ/kg/day) and time (min/day) at multiple fine-grained metabolic equivalent (MET) levels, which were also collapsed to ST and light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (V…
A 2 year physical activity and dietary intervention attenuates the increase in insulin resistance in a general population of children: the PANIC study.
Abstract Aims/hypothesis We studied for the first time the long-term effects of a combined physical activity and dietary intervention on insulin resistance and fasting plasma glucose in a general population of predominantly normal-weight children. Methods We carried out a 2 year non-randomised controlled trial in a population sample of 504 children aged 6–9 years at baseline. The children were allocated to a combined physical activity and dietary intervention group (306 children at baseline, 261 children at 2-year follow-up) or a control group (198 children, 177 children) without blinding. We measured fasting insulin and fasting glucose, calculated HOMA-IR, assessed physical activity and se…
The effects of a 2-year physical activity and dietary intervention on plasma lipid concentrations in children: the PANIC Study
Funder: Opetus- ja Kulttuuriministeriö; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003126
Mediating effects of motor performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour on the associations of adiposity and other cardiometabolic risk factors with academic achievement in children
We investigated the associations of cardiometabolic risk factors with academic achievement and whether motor performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, or sedentary behaviour mediated these associations. Altogether 175 children 6–8 years-of-age participated in the study. We assessed body fat percentage (BF%), waist circumference, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, leptin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Reading fluency, reading comprehension, and arithmetic skills were assessed using standardized tests. Speed/agility, balance, and manual dexterity test results were used to calculate moto…
The effects of a 2-year individualized and family-based lifestyle intervention on physical activity, sedentary behavior and diet in children
To investigate the effects of a long-term, individualized and family-based lifestyle intervention on physical activity, sedentary behavior and diet quality in children.We carried out a 2-year intervention study in a population sample of 506 children aged 6-8years in Finland in 2007-2012. We allocated the participants at baseline in the intervention and control group. We assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior by questionnaires and diet by food records.Total physical activity (+9min/d in intervention group vs. -5min/d in control group, p=0.001 for time*group interaction), unsupervised physical activity (+7min/d vs. -9min/d, p0.001) and organized sports (+8min/d vs. +3min/d, p=0.001…
Associations of cardiometabolic risk factors with heart rate variability in 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children : The PANIC Study
Background Associations of cardiometabolic risk factors with heart rate variability (HRV) in children are unclear. We examined associations of cardiometabolic risk score (CRS) and individual cardiometabolic risk factors with HRV variables in 6‐ to 8‐year‐olds. Methods The participants were a population‐based sample of 443 children participating in baseline measurements of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children trial. Cardiometabolic risk factors included waist circumference (WC), insulin, glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). CRS was calculated as WC + insulin + glucose + triglycerides − HDL cholesterol + the mea…
The effects of an 8-year individualised lifestyle intervention on food consumption and nutrient intake from childhood to adolescence: the PANIC Study.
Abstract We aimed to investigate the effects of a long-term, individualised, family-based lifestyle intervention on food consumption and nutrient intake from childhood to adolescence. We conducted an 8-year diet and physical activity intervention study in a population sample of children aged 7–9 years at baseline in 2007–2009. We allocated the participants to the intervention group (n 306) and the control group (n 198). We assessed diet by 4-d food records at baseline, 2-year follow-up and 8-year follow-up. We analysed the data using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age at baseline and sex. The consumption of vegetables and vegetable oil-based spreads (fat ≥60 %) increased in the in…
Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and cardiorespiratory fitness with heart rate variability in 6- to 9-year-old children: the PANIC study.
Abstract Purpose To study the associations of physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with heart rate variability (HRV) in children. Methods The participants were a population sample of 377 children aged 6–9 years (49% boys). ST, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) were assessed using a combined heart rate and movement sensor, maximal power output per kilograms of lean body mass as a measure of CRF by maximal cycle ergometer exercise test, and HRV variables (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, and HF) using 5 min resting electrocardiography. Data were analysed by linear regression ad…
P27-S Sex differences and cortical excitability in healthy adolescents
Background Sex is known to influence brain development. However, sex differences in cortical excitability and their relationship to motor functions is unclear. Aim We examined the sex related differences in the degree of handedness, left and right motor cortex excitability and manual dexterity. Methods 28 healthy adolescents (age 16–19 years,19 girls) were studied. The degree of right-handedness was determined by the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire. Motor threshold (MT) of the abductor pollicis brevis was measured on both hemispheres. Box and block test (BBT) was used for manual dexterity. Independent samples t-test was used in statistical analysis. Results There were no differences betwe…
Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Insulin Resistance in Children
Purpose Few studies have investigated the independent and joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body fat percentage (BF%) with insulin resistance in children. We investigated the independent and combined associations of CRF and BF% with fasting glycemia and insulin resistance and their interactions with physical activity (PA) and sedentary time among 452 children age 6 to 8 yr. Methods We assessed CRF with a maximal cycle ergometer exercise test and used allometrically scaled maximal power output (Wmax) for lean body mass (LM) and body mass (BM) as measures of CRF. The BF% and LM were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, fasting glycemia by fasting plasma glucos…
Vähäinen fyysinen aktiivisuus ja runsas fyysinen passiivisuus ovat yhteydessä 6–8-vuotiaiden lasten ylipainoon
Lähtökohdat: Lasten pienempään ylipainon ja lihavuuden riskiin yhteydessä olevasta fyysisen aktiivisuuden määrästä ja kuormittavuudesta tiedetään verrattain vähän. Tavoitteenamme oli selvittää objektiivisesti mitatun fyysisen aktiivisuuden eri kuormittavuustasojen ja fyysisen passiivisuuden määrän yhteyksiä ikä- ja sukupuolivakioidun painoindeksin keskihajontapistemäärään (BMI-SDS) ja ylipainoisuuteen 6–8-vuotiailla suomalaisilla lapsilla. Menetelmät: Tutkimukseen osallistui 386 lasta. Fyysinen aktiivisuus ja fyysinen passiivisuus mitattiin liike- ja sykemittaukset yhdistävällä aktiivisuusmittarilla (Actiheart®, CamNtech Ltd., Papworth, Iso-Britannia). Fyysinen passiivisuus ja fyysisen akti…
Associations of cardiometabolic risk factors with heart rate variability in 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children: The PANIC Study
BACKGROUND Associations of cardiometabolic risk factors with heart rate variability (HRV) in children are unclear. We examined associations of cardiometabolic risk score (CRS) and individual cardiometabolic risk factors with HRV variables in 6- to 8-year-olds. METHODS The participants were a population-based sample of 443 children participating in baseline measurements of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children trial. Cardiometabolic risk factors included waist circumference (WC), insulin, glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). CRS was calculated as WC + insulin + glucose + triglycerides - HDL cholesterol + the mea…
Maturation changes the excitability and effective connectivity of the frontal lobe : A developmental TMS-EEG study
The combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation with simultaneous electroencephalography (TMS–EEG) offers direct neurophysiological insight into excitability and connectivity within neural circuits. However, there have been few developmental TMS–EEG studies to date, and they all have focused on primary motor cortex stimulation. In the present study, we used navigated high‐density TMS–EEG to investigate the maturation of the superior frontal cortex (dorsal premotor cortex [PMd]), which is involved in a broad range of motor and cognitive functions known to develop with age. We demonstrated that reactivity to frontal cortex TMS decreases with development. We also showed that although fron…
Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Academic Skills – A Follow-Up Study among Primary School Children
Background There are no prospective studies that would have compared the relationships of different types of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with academic skills among children. We therefore investigated the associations of different types of PA and SB with reading and arithmetic skills in a follow-up study among children. Methods The participants were 186 children (107 boys, 79 girls, 6–8 yr) who were followed-up in Grades 1–3. PA and SB were assessed using a questionnaire in Grade 1. Reading fluency, reading comprehension and arithmetic skills were assessed using standardized tests at the end of Grades 1–3. Results Among all children more recess PA and more time spent i…
Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, motor competence, and adiposity in children
We investigated the associations of motor competence (MC) with peak oxygen uptake (V.O-2peak), peak power output (W-max), and body fat percentage (BF%) and whether measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) modify the associations between MC and BF%. Altogether, 35 children (aged 7-11 years) in the CHIPASE Study and 297 in PANIC Study (aged 9-11 years) participated in the study. MC was assessed using KTK and modified Eurofit tests. V.O-2peak and W-max were measured by maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and scaled by lean mass (LM) or body mass (BM). BF% was assessed either by bioimpedance (CHIPASE) or DXA (PANIC). MC was not associated with V.O-2peak/LM (standardized regression coe…
Lasten ja nuorten kestävyyskunto
Kestävyyskunto on yksi tutkituimmista terveyteen ja suorituskykyyn yhdistetyistä fyysisen kunnon osa-alueista lapsilla ja nuorilla. Kestävyyskunnon mittaamiseen, sitä koskevien mittaustulosten tulkintaan, kestävyyskunnon harjoitettavuuteen sekä kestävyyskunnon terveysvaikutusten tutkimiseen lapsilla ja nuorilla liittyy yhä haasteita. nonPeerReviewed
Associations of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Adiposity With Arterial Stiffness and Arterial Dilatation Capacity in Response to a Bout of Exercise in Children
Purpose: To investigate the associations of directly measured peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) and body fat percentage (BF%) with arterial stiffness and arterial dilatation capacity in children. Methods: Findings are based on 329 children (177 boys and 152 girls) aged 8–11 years. V˙O2peak was assessed by a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer and scaled by lean body mass (LM). BF% and LM were measured by bioelectrical impedance. Stiffness index (measure of arterial stiffness) and change in reflection index (ΔRI, measure of arterial dilatation capacity) were assessed by pulse contour analysis. Data were analyzed by linear regression models. Results: VO2peak/LM was positive…
Cross‐sectional associations between physical fitness and biomarkers of inflammation in children : the PANIC study
Background Systemic low-grade inflammation has been proposed as an underlying pathophysiological mechanism for cardiometabolic diseases. We investigated the associations of physical fitness with systemic low-grade inflammatory state in a population sample of children. Methods Altogether 391 children aged 6–9 years were examined. Cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal power output, Wmax) was assessed by a maximal cycle ergometer test and neuromuscular fitness by hand grip strength, sit-up, standing long jump, 50-metre shuttle run, static balance, sit-and-reach, and box and block tests. Body fat percentage (BF%) and lean mass (LM) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. High sensitivit…
Associations of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Adiposity With Arterial Stiffness and Arterial Dilatation Capacity in Response to a Bout of Exercise in Children.
Purpose: To investigate the associations of directly measured peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) and body fat percentage (BF%) with arterial stiffness and arterial dilatation capacity in children. Metho...
Peak oxygen uptake cut-points to identify children at increased cardiometabolic risk - The PANIC Study.
We aimed to develop cut -points for directly measured peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak ) to identify boys and girls at increased cardiometabolic risk using different scaling methods to control for body size and composition. Altogether 352 children (186 boys, 166 girls) aged 9 – 11 years were included in the analyses. We measured VO2peak directly during a maximal cycle ergometer exercise test and lean body mass (LM) by bioelectrical impedance. We computed a sex - and age -specific cardiometabolic risk score (CRS) by summing important cardiometabolic risk factors and defined increased cardiometabolic risk as >1 standard deviation above the mean of CRS. Receiver operating characteristics curves wer…
Health-related correlates of psychological well-being among girls and boys 6-8 years of age: The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study
AIM Due to limited knowledge on the differences in the correlates of psychological well-being (PSWB) between girls and boys, we compared the correlates of PSWB between primary school girls and boys. METHODS A population sample of 412 children participated in the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study. Parents completed a questionnaire that included 19 questions on the components of PSWB, and a PSWB score was computed. We assessed correlates of PSWB, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, cardiorespiratory fitness, diet quality, body fat content, sleep duration, sleep disordered breathing, prevalent diseases and parental characteristics. We used logistic regression to a…
Is low cardiorespiratory fitness a feature of metabolic syndrome in children and adults?
Objectives Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been inversely associated with risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, there are no studies comparing the independent associations of CRF scaled by body size and composition using different approaches with cardiometabolic risk factors between children and adults. We therefore investigated these associations in children and adults using same measures for CRF and cardiometabolic risk factors. Design Cross-sectional. Methods A total of 352 children (47.2 % girls) and 572 men were included in the study. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) was measured during a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and was scaled by total body mass (BM−1), total f…
Longitudinal Associations of Fitness, Motor Competence, and Adiposity with Cognition
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), motor competence (MC), and body fat percentage (BF%) with cognition in children. Methods: Altogether, 371 children (188 boys and 183 girls) 6–9 yr of age at baseline participated in this 2-yr follow-up study. We assessed CRF by maximal cycle ergometer test, computed the MC score from the z-scores of the 50-m shuttle run, static balance, and box and block test results, measured BF% by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and assessed cognition using the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) score. The associations were studied by linear regression analysis and repeated-…
Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and cardiorespiratory fitness with heart rate variability in 6- to 9-year-old children: the PANIC study
Purpose. To study the associations of physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with heart rate variability (HRV) in children. Methods. The participants were a population sample of 377 children aged 6–9 years (49% boys). ST, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) were assessed using a combined heart rate and movement sensor, maximal power output per kilograms of lean body mass as a measure of CRF by maximal cycle ergometer exercise test, and HRV variables (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, and HF) using 5 min resting electrocardiography. Data were analysed by linear regression adjusted …
The Effects of a 2-year Individualized and Family-based Lifestyle Intervention on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Diet in Children
Objective To investigate the effects of a long-term, individualized and family-based lifestyle intervention on physical activity, sedentary behavior and diet quality in children. Methods We carried out a 2-year intervention study in a population sample of 506 children aged 6–8 years in Finland in 2007–2012. We allocated the participants at baseline in the intervention and control group. We assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior by questionnaires and diet by food records. Results Total physical activity (+ 9 min/d in intervention group vs. − 5 min/d in control group, p = 0.001 for time*group interaction), unsupervised physical activity (+ 7 min/d vs. − 9 min/d, p < 0.001) and orga…
Mediating effects of motor performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour on the associations of adiposity and other cardiometabolic risk factors with academic achievement in children
We investigated the associations of cardiometabolic risk factors with academic achievement and whether motor performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, or sedentary behaviour mediated these associations. Altogether 175 children 6-8 years-of-age participated in the study. We assessed body fat percentage (BF%), waist circumference, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, leptin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Reading fluency, reading comprehension, and arithmetic skills were assessed using standardized tests. Speed/agility, balance, and manual dexterity test results were used to calculate moto…
P26-S Left and right motor cortical excitability and relationship to motor functions in healthy adolescents
Background The interhemispheric difference in cortical excitability and its relationship to motor functions is unclear. Aim We examined the relationship between handedness, left and right motor cortex excitability and fine and gross motor functions in adolescence. Methods 28 healthy adolescents (age 16–19 years, 19 girls) were studied. Handedness was determined by the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire. Motor threshold (MT) of the abductor pollicis brevis was measured on both hemispheres using biphasic stimulation, and on the left hemisphere also with monophasic stimulation. Box and block test (BBT) was used for manual dexterity, line run and standing long jump for gross motor tasks. Spearma…
Adiposity, physical activity and neuromuscular performance in children
We investigated the associations of body fat percentage, objectively assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and different types of physical activity assessed by a questionnaire with neuromuscular performance. The participants were 404 children aged 6–8 years. Body fat percentage (BF%) was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and physical activity by combined heart rate and movement sensing and a questionnaire. The results of 50-metre shuttle run, 15-metre sprint run, hand grip strength, standing long jump, sit-up, modified flamingo balance, box and block, and sit-and-reach tests were used as measures of neuromuscular performance. Children who had a combination of…
Longitudinal associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and cardiorespiratory fitness with arterial health in children – the PANIC study
We investigated the longitudinal associations of physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with arterial health among children. In our primary analyses, we investigated 245 children (girls 51.8%) aged 6-9 years participating in the baseline examinations who had data on arterial health at 2-year follow-up. We also utilized a subsample of 90 children who had a complete arterial health data at baseline and 2-year follow-up. ST (≤1.5 METs), light PA (>1.5-4 METs), moderate PA (>4-7 METs), vigorous PA (>7METs), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, >4 METs) were assessed by combined movement and heart rate monitoring and CRF by maximal exercise testing on a cy…
Associations of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time With Arterial Stiffness in Pre-Pubertal Children.
Purpose: To investigate the relationships of objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) to arterial stiffness in pre-pubertal children. Method: Altogether 136 children (57 boys, 79 girls) aged 6–8-years participated in the study. Stiffness index (SI) was assessed by pulse contour analysis based on photoplethysmography. ST, light PA, moderate PA, and vigorous PA were assessed using combined acceleration and heart rate monitoring. We investigated the associations of ST (<1.5METs) and time spent in intensity level of PA above 2–7METs in min/d with SI using linear regression analysis. We studied the optimal duration and intensity of PA to identify children being in the …
Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in youth
Abstract Purpose To investigate the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in 16‐ to 19‐year‐old adolescents. Methods Fifty four adolescents (35 girls; 19 boys) participated in the study. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) and peak power output (Wmax) were measured by the maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer and ventilatory threshold (VT) was determined with ventilation equivalents. Lean mass (LM) and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) were measured by a non‐invasive oscillometric device. Working memory, short term memory, visual l…
Health-related correlates of psychological well-being among girls and boys 6-8 years of age : The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study
Aim Due to limited knowledge on the differences in the correlates of psychological well‐being (PSWB) between girls and boys, we compared the correlates of PSWB between primary school girls and boys. Methods A population sample of 412 children participated in the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study. Parents completed a questionnaire that included 19 questions on the components of PSWB, and a PSWB score was computed. We assessed correlates of PSWB, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, cardiorespiratory fitness, diet quality, body fat content, sleep duration, sleep disordered breathing, prevalent diseases and parental characteristics. We used logistic regression to a…