Biomarkers of cardiometabolic health are associated with body composition characteristics but not physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury

Tom Nightingale, Jean-Philippe Walhin, Dylan Thompson, James Bilzon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To examine (i) the associations between physical activity dimensions, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition and, (ii) the associations between physical activity dimensions, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective cohort study with 7-day follow-up was conducted. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and biomarkers of cardiometabolic health were measured in thirty-three participants with SCI (> 1 year post injury). Physical activity dimensions were objectively assessed over 7-days.

Results: Activity energy expenditure (r =.43), physical activity level (r =.39), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (r =.48) were significantly (P <0.001) associated with absolute (L/min) peak oxygen uptake (⩒O2 peak). ⩒O2 peak was significantly higher in persons performing ≥150 MVPA minutes/week compared to .30) associations with parameters of metabolic regulation, lipid profiles and inflammatory biomarkers. Relative ⩒O2 peak (ml/kg/min) was moderately associated with only insulin sensitivity (r = 0.37, P = 0.03).

Conclusions: Physical activity dimensions are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness; however, stronger and more consistent associations suggest that poor cardiometabolic health is associated with higher body fat content. Given these findings, the regulation of energy balance should be an important consideration for researchers and clinicians looking to improve cardiometabolic health in persons with SCI.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)328-337
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Spinal Cord Medicine
Volume42
Issue number3
Early online date13 Sept 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2019

Keywords

  • Cardiorespiratory fitness
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Metabolic disease
  • Paraplegia
  • Inflammation

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