The Impact of Sedentary Behavior on Arterial Stiffness in Physically Active College Students

Abstract

Previous research has linked sedentary behavior (SB) to increased arterial stiffness (AS) and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet few studies have examined the AS of healthy individuals who are currently engaging in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).Purpose: To examine the impact of SB on AS in physically active college students. Methods: 43 college students volunteered to participate in this study, 35 participants completed the study, and of these participants, 27 met the recommended exercise guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day (age: 20.5 + 1.64 years; height: 167.52 + 9.41 cm; weight: 72.23 + 17.18 kg; Body Mass Index (BMI): 25.81 + 6.32 kg/m2 ). On the first visit, participants completed demographic questionnaires and received an accelerometer to wear for at least ten days. They then returned to the lab within two weeks and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire- short form (IPAQ-S) and underwent anthropometric measurements. Lastly, AS was measured non-invasively via pulse wave velocity (PWV). Based on accelerometry data, participants were separated into two groups for data analyses: active couch potatoes (ACP) (> 600 min/d sedentary) and active (ACT)( < 600 min/d sedentary). Results: Average PWV among our participants was 6.26 + 2.16 m/s. Participants spent 602.45 + 122.94 minutes/day sedentary, and 59.47 + 21.05 minutes/day engaging in MVPA. Pearson correlation showed a statistically significant relationship between PWV and SB in ACP males and ACT males. Males in the ACP group had a significantly higher PWV than ACT males. Conclusion: Our study found a significant positive relationship between SB and PWV in males who achieved the recommended amount of MVPA. Previous literature has indicated a significant positive correlation between SB and AS, yet has not examined the effects of SB on AS in those acquiring daily MVPA. Future research should work to define excessive SB in order to differentiate between active couch potatoes and active individuals.