Adolescents who were born extremely preterm demonstrate modest decreases in exercise capacity.

AIM

We aimed to investigate exercise capacity in adolescents who were born extremely preterm and to study changes through puberty and associations with neonatal data, exercise habits and lung function.

METHODS

This Norwegian population-based controlled cohort study focused on all infants (n = 35) born at a gestational age of ≤ 28 weeks or with a birthweight of ≤ 1000 grams in 1991-1992, together with matched term-born controls. Participants underwent spirometry and a maximal cardiopulmonary treadmill exercise test at 10 and 18 years.

RESULTS

At 18 years of age, mean (95% confidence interval) peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2 ) was 42.3 (39.2-45.4) vs 45.3 (41.3-49.3) mL/kg/min in the preterm- and term-born groups, while the completed treadmill distance was 915 (837-992) vs 1017 (912-1122) metres. Peak VO2 was unrelated to neonatal factors and current lung function. Changes between 10 and 18 were similar in the two groups, and positive associations between exercise habits and peak VO2 developed during the period.

CONCLUSION

Exercise capacity was modestly reduced in adolescents born extremely preterm, but the values were considered normal in most participants. Changes during puberty were similar to those observed for term controls, and the findings suggest similar trainability.