Embargo
Physical activity is related to lower levels of neurofilament light and plasma tau protein: a 22-year follow-up study from adolescence to adulthood
(Elsevier, 2025-06-01) Ezzatvar, Yasmin; López Gil, José Francisco; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Olivares-Arancibia, Jorge; Páez-Herrera, Jacqueline; García Hermoso, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Purpose: To investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and neurodegeneration biomarkers from adolescence to adulthood by examining tau protein and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in blood samples. Methods: The study analyzed data from adolescents aged 12–19 years who participated in Waves I (1994–1996) and V (2016–2018) of the Add Health study over a span of 22 years. It assessed PA through self-reported questionnaires. Neurodegeneration measures at Wave V used venous blood collected via phlebotomy. Samples were analyzed using single-molecule array (Simoa) technology on a Quanterix HD-1 analyzer, using digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify NfL and tau proteins from serum and plasma samples. Results: In the present study, 3,182 individuals participated, with females comprising 61% of the sample. Participants adhering to the PA guidelines in both waves reported lower levels of NfL (−0.583 pg/mL, 95% bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) confidence interval (CI): −1.235 to −0.068) and tau protein levels (−0.244 pg/mL, 95% BCa CI: −0.405 to −0.078). Adjusted analyses confirmed significant lower levels of tau protein (−0.210 pg/mL, 95% BCa CI: −0.350 to −0.072) for Wave I adherents and even lower levels in NfL (−0.421 pg/mL, 95% BCa CI: −0.929 to −0.007) and tau protein levels (−0.229 pg/mL, 95% BCa CI: −0.412 to −0.053) for active participants in both waves. Discussion: Our findings suggest that consistent engagement in PA may reduce certain neurodegenerative biomarkers, potentially influencing neurological health outcomes.
Embargo
Physical fitness and sleep-related problems among adolescents: findings from the EHDLA study
(Wiley, 2025-03-19) Muñoz Pardeza, Jacinto; Ezzatvar, Yasmin; Gutiérrez Espinoza, Héctor; Páez-Herrera, Jacqueline; Olivares-Arancibia, Jorge; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; García Hermoso, Antonio; López Gil, José Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness, has been shown to positively impact sleep quality. However, the relation-ship between overall physical fitness and sleep-related problems in adolescents remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim ofthis study was to analyze the association between overall physical fitness and sleep-related problems in adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 812 adolescents (median age: 14 years [interquartile range = 12–17]; 54.9% girls) from the Eating Healthyand Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) data. Physical fitness was measured objectively using the Assessing the Levels of PHysicalActivity and fitness (ALPHA-Fit) battery for children and adolescents and a flexibility test, while sleep-related problems wereevaluated using the BEARS sleep screening tool (B = Bedtime problems, E = Excessive daytime sleepiness, A = Awakenings dur-ing the night, R = Regularity and duration of sleep, S = Snoring). Generalized linear models were used to examine the associationof overall physical fitness with the different components of sleep-related problems. The odds of experiencing sleep-related prob-lems decreased significantly with each kilogram increase in handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval[CI] 0.94–0.99), and with each standard deviation increase in overall physical fitness (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–0.99). In contrast,despite not statistically significant, an increase in long jump appeared to reduce the sleep-related problems (OR = 0.91; 95% CI0.82–1.02), while a longer time in the 4×10-m shuttle run test might increase sleep problems (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.98–1.28). Inconclusion, greater levels of physical fitness, particularly muscular strength, may be key for reducing sleep-related problems,emphasizing the importance of personalized training programs.
Open Access
Long-term impact of adherence to muscle-strengthening guidelines on inflammation markers: a 17-year follow-up study with obesity parameters as mediators
(BMJ Publishing, 2024-12-07) García Hermoso, Antonio; Ezzatvar, Yasmin; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Olivares-Arancibia, Jorge; Páez-Herrera, Jacqueline; López Gil, José Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between adherence to muscle-strengthening guidelines in young adulthood and inflammation markers over a 17-year follow-up period. Additionally, it aims to examine whether body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) act as mediators in this relationship. Methods: The study analysed data from young adults aged 18–26 years who participated in waves III (2001–2002), IV (2008–2009) and V (2016–2018) of the Add Health Study. Adherence to muscle-strengthening guidelines was self-reported, and participants were classified as adherent if they engaged in strength training ≥2 days per week across all waves. Venous blood samples were collected at participants’ homes to measure highsensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and various cytokine concentrations, including interleukin (IL)−6, IL1beta, IL-8, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα). A global inflammation score was also calculated using z-scores of these markers. Results: A total of 2320 individuals participated (60.8% females). Participants adhering to muscle-strengthening guidelines exhibited significant reductions in hs-CRP, IL-6 and the inflammation z-score, with mean difference (MD) of −1.556mg/L (95% CI BCa −2.312 to −0.799), −0.324 pg/mL (95% BCa CI −0.586 to −0.062), and −0.400 (95% BCa CI −0.785 to −0.035), respectively. Mediation analysis revealed that BMI and WC levels at wave V significantly mediated the relationship between strength training and inflammation z-score, with significant indirect effects of −0.142 (95% CI −0.231 to −0.055) for BMI and −0.210 (95% CI −0.308 to −0.124) for WC. Conclusion: Adherence to muscle-strengthening guidelines alone may not be sufficient to achieve a notable decrease in inflammation without concurrent reductions in these obesity parameters.
Open Access
Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in adolescence and its association with lower risk of hypertension in adulthood
(Springer, 2025-03-06) García Hermoso, Antonio; López Gil, José Francisco; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Olivares-Arancibia, Jorge; Páez-Herrera, Jacqueline; Ezzatvar, Yasmin; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background There is limited research on how adherence to 24 h movement guidelines from adolescence to adulthood afects long-term hypertension outcomes. This study examined the association between sustained adherence to these guidelines and hypertension risk. Methods Analysis was done on data from adolescents 12- to 19-year-olds who took part in Waves I and V of the Add Health Study. Physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep duration were assessed through self-report questionnaires. Blood pressure (BP) was assessed on the right arm following a 5 min seated rest, utilizing an oscillometric device, and hypertension was defned as systolic/diastolic BP≥140/90 mmHg, physician-diagnosed hypertension, or current antihypertensive medication use. Results This prospective study included a total of 3076 participants (60.3% female), and 802 were diagnosed with hypertension. Meeting sleep duration guidelines at Wave I was associated with reductions in systolic [−0.568 mmHg, 95% biascorrected and accelerated (BCa) confdent interval (CI)−2.128 to−0.011, P=0.044] and diastolic (−0.331 mmHg, 95% BCa CI−1.506 to−0.071, P=0.043) BP at Wave V. Adherence to PA and sleep duration guidelines at both waves further reduced BP, with the greatest decreases observed among participants meeting all three guidelines: systolic (−6.184 mmHg, 95% BCa CI−13.45 to−0.915, P=0.040) and diastolic BP (−3.156 mmHg, 95% BCa CI−6.413 to−0.120, P=0.047). The risk of hypertension was lower among those who met the PA guidelines individually [relative risk (RR) 0.710, 95% CI 0.516–0.976, P=0.035] or adhered to all three recommendations (RR 0.699, 95% CI 0.311–0.899, P=0.030) in both waves. Conclusions Our fndings highlight the cardiovascular benefts of consistently adhering to healthy movement behaviors from adolescence through adulthood.
Embargo
Is social jetlag associated with physical fitness among spanish adolescents?: insights from the EHDLA study
(Wiley, 2025-01-23) Miño, Camila; García Hermoso, Antonio; Gutiérrez Espinoza, Héctor; Olivares-Arancibia, Jorge; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Duclos-Bastías, Daniel; Smith, Lee; López Gil, José Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: The misalignment of sleeping times during weekdays/weekends (i.e., social jetlag) is particularly common amongadolescents and plausibly associated with their physical fitness. However, literature on this topic is scarce. Therefore, this studyaimed to investigate the association between social jetlag and physical fitness in Spanish adolescents. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on cross-sectional data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities(EHDLA) study among 812 adolescents (54.9% girls) aged 12–17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). Socialjetlag was calculated from self-reported data on bedtimes and wake times for weekdays and weekends. Physical fitness was eval-uated with the Assessing the Levels of PHysical Activity and Fitness (ALPHA-FIT) for children and adolescents and includedcardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, speed agility, and flexibility. Results: The analysis revealed significant negative associations between worse social jetlag and detrimental overall physical fit-ness (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = −0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.09, −0.02; p = 0.002), cardiorespiratory fitness(B = −1.28; 95% CI −2.22, −0.34; p = 0.008), and lower body muscular fitness (B = −2.01; 95% CI −3.90, −0.12; p = 0.038) after theadjustment for potential covariates (age, sex, socioeconomic status, physical activity level, sedentary behavior, nocturnal sleepduration, energy intake, and body mass index). In contrast with other fitness components, a significant positive association wasidentified between social jetlag and speed agility (B = 0.07; 95% CI 0.00, 0.14; p = 0.049). Conclusions: In adolescents, social jetlag is significantly linked to poorer physical fitness, especially for cardiorespiratory fit-ness and lower-body muscular fitness. Maintaining regular and well-synchronized sleep could be crucial for optimizing physicalhealth and preventing the decline of physical fitness during adolescence.