Key result
In adults with congenital heart disease, an increase in physical activity of 1000 MET-min·week-1 was associated with a 0.8 mL·Kg-1·min-1 increase in peak oxygen consumption.
Why the study?
Aerobic capacity in adults with congenital heart disease is often reduced, mainly due to low confidence levels towards physical activity, prompting evaluation of the association between physical activity level and aerobic capacity.
Does higher physical activity level improve aerobic capacity in adults with congenital heart disease?
Cross-Sectional (n=183)
No
Does higher physical activity level improve aerobic capacity in adults with congenital heart disease?
Mean Difference: 0.8 (95% CI 0.4–1.2)
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher self-reported physical activity levels are significantly associated with improved aerobic capacity in adults with congenital heart disease, supporting recommendations for active lifestyles in this population.
May support promoting activity in congenital heart disease adults; hypothesis-generating for causal effects on peak VO2.
Background: Aerobic capacity (AC) in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) is often reduced, mainly due to low confidence levels towards physical activity (PA). The main objective of this study was to estimate the association between PA level and AC (measured as peak of oxygen consumption, VO2peak) in adults with CHD. Methods: A total of 183 individuals (83 women and 100 men; mean (SD) age 36.9 (11.0) years old) from Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Barcelona-Spain in 2019, participated in this cross-sectional study. The AC was assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) using a treadmill ramp protocol. Considering values of metabolic equivalent of task (MET, MET-min·week-1 ) obtained by the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), participants were divided into three categories of PA: health-enhancing PA (HEPA), minimally active, and inactive. Results: Median (SD) PA was 2737.2 (2835.7) MET-min·week-1 , with 60 participants (32.8%) reporting HEPA, 91 (49.7%) minimally active, and 32 (17.5%) inactivity. Participants demonstrated a mean VO2peak of 28.9 (8.8) mL·Kg-1 ·min-1 , showing AC values on average 13% lower than expected in a healthy population. Overall, PA and AC were positively associated. Adjusting for sex and age, an increase of 1000 MET-min·week-1 was associated with an increase in VO2peak of 0.8 units (95% CI 0.4–1.2; p < 0.001). There were no differences in the degree of increase between sexes (p = 0.427). Conclusion: These findings suggest that an increase in PA in patients with CHD significantly improves their AC, and hence, could be recommended when the goal is to improve their physical condition.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ferri et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Congenital heart disease (n=183). Physical activity level vs. Lower physical activity levels was evaluated on Aerobic capacity (VO2peak) (0.8 units increase per 1000 MET-min·week-1, 95% CI 0.4-1.2, p=<0.001). In adults with congenital heart disease, an increase in physical activity of 1000 MET-min·week-1 was associated with a 0.8 mL·Kg-1·min-1 increase in peak oxygen consumption.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: