Peak oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, and arterial stiffness in adolescents

Purpose: To investigate the associations of peak oxygen uptake (V˙ O _{2 peak}) and V˙ O ₂ at ventilatory threshold (V˙ O ₂ at VT) with arterial stiffness in adolescents. Methods: The participants were 55 adolescents (36 girls, 19 boys) aged 16–19 years. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) were measured by non-invasive oscillometric device from right brachial artery level. V˙ O _{2 peak} was directly measured during a maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer. V˙ O ₂ at VT was determined using the equivalents for ventilation (V˙ _E/V˙ C O ₂ and V˙ _E/V˙ O ₂). V˙ O _{2 peak} and V˙ O ₂ at VT were normalised for body mass (BM) and lean mass (LM). Data were analysed using linear regression analyses and analysis of covariance adjusted for age and sex. Results: V˙ O _{2 peak} normalised for BM (β = − 0.445, 95% CI − 0.783 to − 0.107) and V˙ O _{2 peak} normalised for LM (β = − 0.386, 95% CI − 0.667 to − 0.106) were inversely associated with PWVao. A higher V˙ O ₂ at VT normalised for BM (β = − 0.366, 95% CI − 0.646 to − 0.087) and LM (β = − 0.321, 95% CI − 0.578 to − 0.064) was associated with lower PWVao. Adolescents in the lowest third of V˙ O _{2 peak} by LM (6.6 vs. 6.1 m/s, Cohen’s d = 0.33) and V˙ O ₂ at VT by LM (6.6 vs. 6.0 m/s, Cohen’s d = 0.33) had a higher PWVao than those in the highest third of V˙ O _{2 peak} or V˙ O ₂ at VT by LM. Conclusions: Higher V˙ O _{2 peak} and V˙ O ₂ at VT by BM and LM were related to lower arterial stiffness in adolescents. Normalising V˙ O _{2 peak} and V˙ O ₂ at VT for LM would provide the most appropriate measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in relation to arterial stiffness.