Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, aerobic fitness, and heart health in children

What is it about?

Alterations in cardiac autonomic nervous system function, which can be assessed by heart rate variability, increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We found that children who were physically more active and less sedentary had healthier heart rate variability profile than their less active peers. Boys with better aerobic fitness also had healthier heart rate variability profile than lower fit boys.

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Why is it important?

Undoubtedly the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system plays an important role in cardiovascular health. We found that higher levels of physical activity, lower levels of sedentary time, and higher aerobic fitness were associatwd with better cardiac autonomic function in children underlining the importance of promoting healthy lifestyle in children.