Impact of Regular Sports Activity With Different Dynamic and Static Load on Arterial Stiffness Parameters and Blood Pressure Values in Children and Adolescents

Objective: Arterial stiffness represents an early marker of cardiovascular disease. Its values in childhood may be influenced by physical activity and the type of sports load. We conducted a prospective study between 2019 and 2023 that included children and adolescents, divided into two groups according to the type of physical activity. This study aimed to assess parameters of arterial stiffness in active children and adolescents according to the type of sport they practice and to compare them with those who do not participate in sports. Design and method: The group of athletes included 138 participants, while the control group of non-athletes included 100 participants. The athlete group was divided into two subgroups: the first (N = 80) consisted of those who practice sports with high dynamic and low static load (football, badminton, tennis, and running), while the second subgroup (N = 58) included athletes engaged in sports with low dynamic and high static load (gymnastics, throwball, judo, and karate). Simultaneous measurements of arterial stiffness and arterial pressure were performed using an oscillometric device, the Arteriograph (Tensiomed). Results: We compared measurements of arterial stiffness between the two groups. The control group had significantly higher PWVao at rest compared with child athletes (P < 0.001; median PWVao 6.28 5.70–7.00 vs. 5.74 5.10–6.23 m/s). Systolic (r = -0.254, P = 0.027) and diastolic blood pressure values (r = -0.415, P < 0.001) at rest were negatively correlated with the duration of active participation in dynamic sports. In contrast, central blood pressure after the 60th minute of training (r = 0.256, P = 0.027) and at rest after two years of continuous participation in the same dynamic type of sport (r = 0.422, P = 0.006) was positively correlated with the number of training sessions likely reflecting physiological adaptation to prolonged and repeated dynamic exercise. Conclusions: Regular physical activity in childhood is associated with more favorable arterial stiffness parameters and lower blood pressure, especially in athletes engaged in aerobic sports compared with peers who do not participate in sports.