Is the Association Between Sports Participation in Childhood and Adolescence and Cardiometabolic Risk Mediated by Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adulthood?

Objective

Analyze the direct and indirect associations between sports participation (SP) during childhood and adolescence and the metabolic risk profile in adulthood. Additionally, investigate whether the relationship is mediated by current levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted with 123 young adults (61 males), aged 18–25 years. Metabolic variables included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), relative body fat percentage (%BF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and blood markers such as glucose levels, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). A composite metabolic risk score was created by summing the z-scores. CRF was estimated using the 20-m shuttle run test. SP was assessed using a retrospective questionnaire, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in adulthood was measured using accelerometry. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine both direct and indirect associations.

Results

SP during childhood, adolescence, and both periods was indirectly and inversely associated with the metabolic risk score and HOMA-IR in adulthood. The effect of youth SP on metabolic risk was mediated by adult VO₂ max related to metabolic score (β = −0.127; p < 0.001) and also to HOMA-IR (β = −0.067; p < 0.001). Moreover, MVPA positively interacted with VO₂ max across all analytical models (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Youth SP during childhood and adolescence was indirectly associated with reduced metabolic risk in adulthood, with this relationship being mediated by current CRF. Additionally, the current practice of MVPA contributes positively to CRF in adulthood.