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Competitive Sports Participation is Associated with Decreased Risk of Obesity in Children with Bicuspid Aortic Valve

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Abstract

Individuals with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have historically been advised to avoid contact sports and isometric exercise for risk of increasing aortic dilation and valve disease. There is mounting evidence that current sports participation guidelines qualify children for a high rate of sports exclusion, and that this population is at increased risk of obesity. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between sports participation and aortic dilation in children with bicuspid aortic valve and secondarily the relationship between competitive sports participation and obesity. We performed a review of children between the ages of 8 and 17 years with isolated BAV followed at Oregon Health & Science University. We excluded those with other congenital heart diseases, genetic conditions, prior cardiac intervention, and inability to ambulate independently. Parents completed a phone survey detailing their child’s level of daily activity and participation in competitive sports. Demographic information and most recent echo findings were collected from the electronic medical record. We found no difference between the aortic diameters of athletes vs non-athletes. We also found that sports participation and daily activity were both associated with a decreased likelihood of obesity (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.078–0.73 and OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.081–0.71 respectively). In summary, in our sample population, competitive sports participation was associated with a decreased risk of obesity. Competitive sports participation does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of aortic dilation in our population.

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Abbreviations

BAV:

Bicuspid aortic valve

AHA:

American heart association

CHD:

Congenital heart disease

BMI:

Body mass index

CDC:

Center for disease control

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Benjamin Orwoll for assistance with data mining.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M4L 2W9, Canada

    Marica E. Baleilevuka-Hart

  2. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA

    Kathryn W. Holmes & Jennifer H. Huang

  3. Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, Portland, USA

    Ayesha Khader

  4. Pediatric Heart Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

    Cesar E. Gonzalez De Alba

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  1. Marica E. Baleilevuka-Hart
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  5. Jennifer H. Huang
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Contributions

Dr B-H: conceptualized and designed the study, carried out analyses, drafted the initial manuscript and reviewed and revised the manuscript. AK: recruited patients, collected data, and drafted the initial manuscript. Dr GdA: recruited patients and collected data. Dr JHH: conceptualized the study, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. Dr JHH: conceptualized and designed the study, assisted with analysis, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Marica E. Baleilevuka-Hart.

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Baleilevuka-Hart, M.E., Holmes, K.W., Khader, A. et al. Competitive Sports Participation is Associated with Decreased Risk of Obesity in Children with Bicuspid Aortic Valve. Pediatr Cardiol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-023-03237-3

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