Influence of Preterm Birth and Low Birthweight on Physical Fitness: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.
Sports Med
; 54(7): 1907-1919, 2024 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38709451
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Preterm birth and low birthweight (LBW) might be associated with reduced physical fitness, although evidence remains inconclusive.OBJECTIVE:
To examine the influence of preterm birth and LBW on physical fitness, as well as to assess whether variables such as gestational age, birthweight, or age at assessment moderate these effects.METHODS:
PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO were systematically searched from inception to 7 December 2023 for case-control and cohort studies analyzing the association between preterm birth or LBW (or gestational age or birthweight as continuous variables) with at least one physical fitness-related outcome (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscle strength, flexibility, speed, agility). Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression models were used to estimate the pooled effect size, as well as to examine potential associations between the magnitude of the effect and gestational age, birthweight, or age at assessment.RESULTS:
Fifty-two studies (n = 920,603 participants, average age ranging from 4.7 to 34.4 years) were included. Preterm birth was associated with reduced CRF (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.51 to -0.25) and muscle strength (SMD = -0.44, 95% CI = -0.79 to -0.08). LBW was associated with reduced CRF (SMD = -0.40, 95% CI = -0.64 to -0.17), muscle strength (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI = -0.24 to -0.13), flexibility (SMD = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.22 to -0.01), and agility (SMD = -0.99, 95% CI = -1.91 to -0.07). Meta-regression analyses showed that a lower gestational age or birthweight were associated with larger reductions in physical fitness, whereas no consistent association was found for the age at assessment.CONCLUSION:
Both preterm birth and LBW seem associated with reduced physical fitness regardless of age, with larger reductions overall observed in individuals with lower gestational age or birthweight. These findings might support the implementation of preventive strategies (e.g., fitness monitoring and physical exercise interventions) in these populations through the life course. PROSPERO registration CRD42021231845.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Recién Nacido de Bajo Peso
/
Aptitud Física
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Nacimiento Prematuro
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Fuerza Muscular
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Capacidad Cardiovascular
Límite:
Humans
/
Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sports Med
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA ESPORTIVA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
España
Pais de publicación:
Nueva Zelanda