Blunted cardiac output response to exercise in adolescents born preterm

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2020-11, Vol.120 (11), p.2547-2554
• Main Authors: Haraldsdottir, Kristin, Watson, Andrew M., Pegelow, David F., Palta, Mari, Tetri, Laura H., Levin, Taylor, Brix, Melissa D., Centanni, Ryan M., Goss, Kara N., Eldridge, Marlowe M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Aerobic capacity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular system; Exercise; Heart rate; Human Physiology; Muscle strength; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical training; Premature birth; Respiratory function; Risk factors; Sports Medicine; Teenagers; Thorax
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04480-9

Purpose Premature birth is associated with lasting effects, including lower exercise capacity and pulmonary function, and is acknowledged as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim was to evaluate factors affecting exercise capacity in adolescents born preterm, including the cardiovascular and pulmonary responses to exercise, activity level and strength. Methods 21 preterm-born and 20 term-born adolescents (age 12–14 years) underwent strength and maximal exercise testing with thoracic bioimpedance monitoring. Baseline variables were compared between groups and ANCOVA was used to compare heart rate, cardiac output (Q) and stroke volume (SV) during exercise between groups while adjusting for body surface area. Results Preterm-borns had lower maximal aerobic capacity than term-borns (2.0 ± 0.5 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 L/min, p  = 0.01) and lower maximal power (124 ± 26 vs. 153 ± 33 watts, p