Carotid intima thickness in children after a three-month exercise program

Abstract

Aim. This study, aimed to investigate the effect of regular physical exercise on the carotid intima media (CIM) layer in male children aged 10-12 years. Methods. The study included a total of 21 male children with a mean age of 11.2 +/- 0.6 years and mean weight of 37.9 +/- 7.6 kg who had not previously undertaken active sport. The participants were trained by a professional sports instructor for a period of 12 weeks as preparation for a competition. The CIM measurement at the start of the study and at the end of 12 weeks. The CIM measurement was examined with Doppler ultrasonography. Results. A statistically significant difference was determined in the values measured before and after the exercise program in right CIM and left CIM. The right CIM was measured as 0.441 +/- 0.040 mm before the exercise program and as 0.4557 +/- 0.034 mm after the program. The left CIM was measured as 0.4305 +/- 0.0352 mm before the exercise program and as 0.4581 +/- 0.0297 mm after the program. The differences were determined to be statistically significant (P<0.007, P<0.0001, respectively). Conclusion. Regular exercise performed by the children was determined to have led to an increase in the carotid intima media thickness.