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Neuromuscular fitness in adolescents with CHD: cross-sectional associations with clinical and body composition indicators

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2025

Ana Carla P. Cavalcante Open the ORCID record for Ana Carla P. Cavalcante [Opens in a new window] ,
Isabela de C. Back ,
Marylia Santos Pereira ,
Paulo Henrique Manso Open the ORCID record for Paulo Henrique Manso [Opens in a new window] ,
Filipe Antônio de B. Sousa  and
Luiz Rodrigo A. de Lima
Ana Carla P. Cavalcante
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Isabela de C. Back
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Marylia Santos Pereira
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, institute of biological and health sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Paulo Henrique Manso
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Filipe Antônio de B. Sousa
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, institute of biological and health sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Luiz Rodrigo A. de Lima*
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, institute of biological and health sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
*
Correspondence author: Luiz Rodrigo Augustemak de Lima; Email: luiz.lima@iefe.ufal.br.
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Abstract

Introduction:

Low neuromuscular fitness is documented in adolescents with CHD and may be associated with clinical and morphological factors, indicating the need to assess strength in this population.

Objective:

To evaluate neuromuscular fitness with a multifactorial approach and its associations with other clinical and morphological factors in adolescents with CHD.

Methods:

This is an observational, cross-sectional study with adolescents with CHD, aged between 10 and 18 years. Neuromuscular fitness was calculated by the sum of the z-scores of four strength tests. Clinical factors of CHD were assessed by medical records and questionnaire. The morphological factors assessed were waist-to-height ratio, sum of skinfolds, and upper arm muscle area. Descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance, and linear regressions were performed.

Results:

Sixty adolescents with CHD participated, aged 12,7 ± 2,1 years, 55% girls. Maximum isometric strength was inadequate in 33%, jump height (power) in 33%, abdominal muscle strength resistance in 78%, and upper limb muscle strength resistance in 27%. Neuromuscular fitness was inadequate in 89% (n = 53) of adolescents with CHD. In the unadjusted regression, neuromuscular fitness was associated with arm muscle area (β = 0,12; p = 0,02; R2adj = 0,08) and in the unadjusted and adjusted regression it was lower in cyanotic (vs. acyanotic) CHDs (β = −1,76; p = 0,03 R2adj = 0,24).

Conclusion:

The findings reveal deficits in different presentations of musculoskeletal strength in a large proportion of adolescents with CHD, reinforcing the need to measure fitness from a broader perspective. Low muscle mass and the presence of cyanotic CHD may imply in reduced neuromuscular fitness in adolescents with CHD.

Keywords

Physical fitnessmuscular strengthadolescentCHD

Information

Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , First View , pp. 1 - 8
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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