Abstract
Background: Emerging work is starting to investigate
the cumulative effects of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary
behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness on health. The objective of this study
was to examine the cumulative and independent associations of MVPA, sedentary
behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness on leukocyte telomere length (LTL).
Methods: Data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHANES) were used (N = 1868 adults 20+ years); analyzed in
2016. Sedentary behavior and MVPA were subjectively assessed with
cardiorespiratory fitness determined from a submaximal treadmill-based test;
participants were classified as above or below the median values for each of
these three parameters. A blood sample was obtained from each participant to
assess LTL via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, with participants
grouped into LTL tertiles.
Results: Participants who engaged in higher MVPA, sat less and
had higher cardiorespiratory fitness had an increased odds (ranging from 85% to
105%) of being in LTL tertile 3 (vs. 1). In an extended adjusted multinomial
logistic regression model, only MVPA was positively associated with LTL (odds
ration [OR] = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.99-1.90; P = 0.05).
Conclusion: All three
behavior characteristics, but particularly MVPA, may be important in preserving
LTLs.