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Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
3To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: nrodrigu{at}canr.uconn.edu.
| ABSTRACT |
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KEY WORDS: metabolism protein turnover physical activity nitrogen balance humans
| INTRODUCTION |
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Although the positive aspects of increased physical activity are
apparent in adults, the physiologic implications of routine exercise on
growth, development and metabolism in preadolescent children are less
well defined. Because optimal deposition of lean body mass is essential
in growing children, it is vital to consider the potential consequences
of exercise on protein utilization in this population. Six weeks of
programmed walking has been shown to influence protein metabolism in
healthy obese children during hypocaloric therapy (1)
and
provides the rationale for execution of a similar protocol in nonobese
children. Therefore, the purpose of this research investigation was to
employ 15N-glycine methodology to examine the
effects of programmed aerobic exercise on whole-body protein
utilization in healthy, boys and girls aged 810 y.
| SUBJECTS AND METHODS |
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Criterion measures were assessed during an initial 2-wk baseline period
(Pre)4
and at the end of the 6-wk exercise intervention period (Post).
Measurements included anthropometry, resting energy expenditure (REE),
diet assessment, nitrogen balance, nitrogen flux (Q), protein synthesis
(PS), protein breakdown (PB) and net protein balance [(Net) = PS
- PB]. Each child served as his or her own control, and power
calculations utilizing data from similar studies in our laboratory
(1)
indicated that five subjects would provide power of at
least 0.80 (ß = 0.20) to determine the effects of the exercise
intervention on criterion measures.
Exercise intervention
Subjects began the walking program after an initial 2-wk
baseline period. The children were instructed to adhere to a formal
walking program 5 d/wk. Each exercise session included
4560 min of
walking with intermittent rest periods to maintain compliance. Emphasis
was placed on frequency and duration rather than intensity. However,
children were encouraged to cover specific, previously measured
distances ranging from 3.2 to 6.4 km. One of the sessions each week was
supervised by a graduate student, whereas the remaining sessions were
completed with the parents.
Criterion measures
Anthropometry.
Body mass and height were determined using a balance beam scale
equipped with a measuring rod (Health-o-meter, Bridgeview, IL). Body
composition was assessed using bioelectric impedance (BIA-101Q, RJL
Systems, Detroit, MI) and skinfold calipers (Harpenden, British
Indicators, West Sussex, UK) measurements. Fat mass (FM), fat-free
mass (body weight - FM) and relative percentage of body fat
(FM/body weight x 100) were then calculated using the regression
equation of Goran et al. (3)
. Independent variables in the
regression equation included a resistance index obtained from
bioelectric impedance (height2/R), tricep and subscapular
skinfolds, body mass and gender.
Diet analysis. Food intake was documented with 7-d food records kept during alternate weeks. In addition, a researcher conducted biweekly 24-h recalls to complement food records. These methods were used to estimate and monitor nutrient intake of each child throughout the study. Children and parents were instructed on appropriate procedures for recording dietary intake. Food models were used when instructing children and parents on estimation of food portion sizes. Food intake data were analyzed using the Nutritionist IV software program (N2 Computing, Salem, OR). Children consumed diets analogous to baseline diets with regard to composition during the exercise intervention period. Continuous monitoring has been used effectively in our laboratory to track the consistency of the childrens eating habits and accuracy of food records. Techniques included frequent reminder phone calls, careful scrutiny of diet records, probing when necessary and monetary incentive when efforts of the children were successful.
Resting metabolic rate. REE was determined by indirect calorimetry using a metabolic cart (Medical Graphics Corporation, St. Paul, MN). Parents drove the children to the testing site after a 12-h overnight fast, with minimal physical activity before testing. REE was assessed for 1520 min with the subject lying supine in a quiet, temperature-controlled room using a "canopy" system to collect expired gases.
Physical activity. Physical activity was assessed using physical activity logs and Tritrac R3D accelerometers (Hemokinetics, Madison, WI). The Tritrac unit was fastened at the waist in a neoprene pouch. Each child was instructed to wear the monitor for seven consecutive days during alternate weeks from the food records. Monitors were worn throughout the baseline and exercise period, except when bathing, swimming and during the night. Parents tracked the time intervals when the Tritrac was not worn and provided written descriptions of the activities performed during these periods. Data obtained from the Tritrac monitors were recorded at 1-min intervals and subsequently downloaded to a personal computer for analysis and interpretation. Software supplied by the manufacturer was utilized to approximate physical activityrelated energy expenditure at baseline compared with that estimated during the exercise intervention. For weeks in which the Tritrac monitors were not worn, physical activity logs were kept to document physical activity and sports-related exercise.
Nitrogen balance.
Nitrogen balance (24-h) was measured as a single pooled sample for each
child during the baseline data collection (Pre) and after the exercise
intervention (Post). Urine was collected in provided bottles, which
contained 15 mL of 30% hydrochloric acid to preserve urinary ammonia.
Total nitrogen content of the urine was determined in duplicate using a
micro-Kjeldahl technique (Tecator Kjeltec System, Hoganus, Sweden).
Adjustments in nitrogen excretion (E) were made to
account for fecal and integumental nitrogen losses (4
,5)
.
Nitrogen intake (I), as determined by food recalls for
the 24 h coinciding with the urine collection period, and urinary
nitrogen excretion (E) were utilized to calculate
apparent nitrogen balance (Nitrogen Balance = I
- E).
Protein turnover.
Whole-body protein utilization was assessed using the single-pulse
method of 15N-glycine and collecting total urine output
(6)
. Protein turnover studies were conducted at night to
improve accuracy and compliance, while minimizing the effects of
physical activity on protein utilization. This method was convenient,
noninvasive and posed no risk to the subjects. A single oral dose of
15N-glycine (2mg/kg body; 98+ atom % enrichment; Cambridge
Isotope Laboratories, Andover, MA) was mixed with fruit juice and
delivered to the childs home for administration at bedtime by a
member of the research team. Subjects provided a baseline "spot"
urine sample for determination of background 15N-ammonia
and then emptied their bladders. Urine was then collected 10 h
after the dose and subjects refrained from consumption of food and
beverages. The 15N enrichment of urinary ammonia (i.e.,
ratio of tracer to tracee, t:t) was
determined using isotope ratio mass spectroscopy (Metabolic Solutions,
Merrimack, NH). The t:t ratio for the
cumulative sample was corrected for background 15N-ammonia
enrichment. Nitrogen intake (I) during the evening meal
was determined on the basis of analysis of food records and recalls
performed during the 15N administration. Nitrogen flux (Q),
protein synthesis (PS), protein breakdown (PB) and net protein balance
(Net) were calculated using the following equations, where
D denotes the oral dose of 15N
(D = g glycine · 0.1972).
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Statistics
Pre and Post means (± SEM) were compared using paired Students t test. Statistical analyses were conducted using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office, 1997; Microsoft Corporation,Redmond,WA).
| RESULTS |
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Body weight, fat-free mass, fat mass, percentage of body fat
(Table 1
) and waist-to-hip ratios (not shown) did not change during the study,
whereas height increased significantly (P < 0.01).
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Descriptive data for energy intake and macronutrient composition were
derived from 7-d food records and 24-h dietary recalls obtained
throughout the study. Energy and protein intakes during the exercise
intervention remained constant. Energy consumption averaged 1844
± 92 kcal/d (7685 ± 384 kJ/d), and protein consumption
averaged 70 ± 0.1 g/d. Total energy intake was comprised of
56% carbohydrate, 29% fat and 15% protein. All subjects consumed
more than adequate protein to satisfy recommendations with protein
intake averaging >2 g/(kg body · d. Dietary data collected via
24-h recalls did not differ from that provided by 7-d food records.
Energy expenditure.
Tritrac accelerometry data showed an
20% increase in physical
activityrelated energy expenditure above baseline levels
(P < 0.02) after the walking program. Additionally,
accelerometry data indicated that nonexercise activity or spontaneous
activity after programmed walking was not reduced compared with
baseline values (Pre). It stayed the same or in some cases, increased.
REE tended to increase Post vs. Pre (1327 ± 44 vs. 1279 ± 32 kcal/d, respectively, P = 0.13) or (5530 ± 183
vs. 5330 ± 133 kJ/d).
Protein utilization.
Nitrogen balance among subjects (n = 6) remained
positive during the study and was significantly greater Post (5.9
± 1.2 g/d) compared with Pre (2.87 ± 1.3 g/d) (P
< 0.05). Nitrogen intake during the 24-h nitrogen balance studies
averaged 12.5 ± 2.1 and 10.8 ± 1.1 g for Post and Pre,
respectively, and nitrogen excretion averaged 8.8 ± 0.7 and 7.9
± 0.7 g for Post and Pre, respectively. Nitrogen balance
data were excluded from one subject because urine was inappropriately
collected. Protein utilization is depicted in Figure 1
for Q (a measure of amino acid cycling between protein and free amino
acid pools), PS, PB and Net. There was a significant decrease in Q
after the walking program (P < 0.0001). Corresponding
decreases in PS (P < 0.001) and PB (P
< 0.01) were also observed. Net protein balance tended to
decrease (P = 0.36) after the walking program.
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| DISCUSSION |
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The goal of this project with regard to exercise was to systematically
increase physical activity in children through a routine walking
program. Our data suggest that spontaneous activity in response to the
increased programmed exercise was not decreased in a compensatory
manner, but rather that an increased energy expenditure was achieved
after the exercise intervention. The frequency and duration of walking
was given priority over the intensity of exercise to maintain subject
compliance. Moreover, it has been suggested that the total time spent
on physical activity is more important than the combined energy cost of
a number of activities. That is, prolonged bouts of exercise may be
more beneficial in promoting an active lifestyle and reducing the risk
for developing obesity (8)
. Therefore, we did not attempt
to document changes in fitness levels of subjects. Rather, the intent
was to increase habitual physical activity via the walking program.
Physically active children must receive proper nutrition to support
optimal growth and development as well as to meet energy demands
associated with increased physical activity. The question remains
concerning whether programmed exercise in children has long-term
effects on overall health by acutely affecting nutrient, specifically
protein, utilization. The present investigation demonstrated an
apparent change in protein metabolism, with the possibility that the
modulation of protein turnover may be energy based. That is, in
contrast to the findings of Ebbeling and Rodriguez (7)
with obese children, the 6 wk of programmed walking in this study did
not increase net protein turnover in healthy, nonobese children.
Rather, the changes noted in protein utilization (i.e., decreased Q, PS
and PB) were analogous to those observed after 6 wk of negative energy
balance (7)
.
Subjects in the Ebbeling and Rodriguez study (7)
were in
an established state of negative energy balance before beginning the
walking program (7)
. Walking appeared to improve protein
utilization in obese children undergoing a weight loss regimen by
increasing, or upregulating, protein turnover. This response occurred
in the presence of no change in energy balance or physical
activityrelated energy expenditure. However, the fact that a
downregulation of protein turnover was noted with 6 wk of hypocaloric
therapy (i.e., induction of negative energy balance) provides insight
into a possible energy-related mechanism for the decreases observed
in protein metabolism variables in the present study. That is, one
factor common to both studies is the coexistence of a negative energy
balance. Although Ebbeling and Rodriguez (7)
established
negative energy balance via dietary intervention, negative energy
balance may have occurred in the present study due to an increase in
energy expenditure without a concomitant increase in energy intake. It
is also possible that the slight, although nonsignificant, increase in
REE may be of physiologic importance in the present study when coupled
with the additional energy expended during the walking program.
Energy intake did not change throughout the study. By simple
difference, a state of negative energy balance could have been imparted
during the walking protocol. Furthermore, the 10th edition of the
Recommended Dietary Allowances (9)
recommends 70
kcal/(kg · d) [292 kJ/(kg · d)] for young children aged 810
y. On average, children in this study were consuming 1844 kcal/d (7685
kJ/d) or
56 kcal/kg (233 kJ/kg). This represents a deficit of
400
kcal/d (1667 kJ/d) with respect to energy intake or
160 kcal/d
(-670 kJ/d), considering the overall recommendation of 2000 kcal/d
(8336 kJ/d) for this population.
Potential limitations in our measurements must be considered regarding
our energy balance data. Ambler et al. (10)
investigated
the effect of 5 wk of endurance training on energy intake in adolescent
males and females (1517 y). They compared the energy intake with
doubly labeled measurement of total energy expenditure (TEE). The
authors hypothesized that endurance type training (i.e., running,
dance, basketball) would lead to increases in food intake to balance
the increased energy expenditure that accompanies physical activity.
They found that males and females had significantly higher TEE than
total energy intake during the training period. Energy expenditure
exceeded self-reported energy intake, but despite the seemingly
negative energy balance, the subjects in the exercise group experienced
no weight loss. The authors speculated that the subjects might have
subconsciously underestimated total energy intake. Therefore, our
results may be limited by the accuracy of our dietary records as well
as our inability to detect meaningful changes in energy balance.
We took efforts to ensure collection of accurate dietary data from study participants and their families. A researcher reviewed the records with the children and their parents on a routine basis. When records were submitted, probing took place to complete dietary data and reminder phone calls were placed to children throughout the study. In addition, 24-h dietary recalls were conducted biweekly throughout the study to validate subject record keeping. As a result of these efforts, we have confidence in the dietary data and believe that protein metabolism may have been affected by the coexistence of an energy deficit in the children participating in the walking program in the present study. Given that protein intake was more than adequate, these observations would support a need to provide additional energy to young, consistently active children, to support optimal protein utilization.
Our findings indicate that growth took precedence over the
short-term or acute energy deficits that might have occurred in
response to the programmed exercise. The unique process of nutrient
partitioning may explain in part how the body supported growth despite
suppressed protein turnover. Nutrient partitioning refers to a
physiologic state (i.e., growth) in which nutritional intake is
specifically "partitioned" in metabolic organs and tissues to
"accommodate successful execution of the dominant productive
function" (11)
. Nutrient partitioning during growth is
often marked by increases in nitrogen balance without changes in
dietary intake; over an extended period of time, it is accompanied by
reductions in lipid accretion (11)
. In addition, nutrient
partitioning can occur in the presence of an apparent negative energy
balance. Although a more sensitive measure of body composition in our
study may have detected subtle differences, significant changes in the
percentage of body fat and fat-free mass are unlikely during an
acute phase (6 wk) of moderate exercise. Thus, the apparent negative
energy balance and increases in nitrogen balance observed in this study
suggest nutrient partitioning as a possible short-term adaptation
for supporting the hierarchical function of growth and development
despite the increased energy expenditure of physical activity.
Nitrogen balance increased significantly after the exercise program,
indicating retention of nitrogen for promoting global anabolic
functions. Nitrogen balance was utilized in this study as an adjunct to
the stable isotope modeling. Although nitrogen balance methodology has
been pervasive in its application, one of its consistent criticisms is
that the values represent a "black box" scenario. This scenario
infers that although nitrogen balance provides information regarding
the net difference in nitrogen utilization, the technique cannot
provide specific data about the metabolic role of the nitrogen within
the body (i.e., protein synthesis, breakdown and oxidation)
(12)
. For instance, a positive balance can be attained by
increasing only protein synthesis, by increasing synthesis more than
breakdown, by decreasing only breakdown and by decreasing breakdown
more than synthesis. The last-mentioned example may apply to this
investigation in that protein synthesis and breakdown were both
downregulated and as long as synthesis remained higher, a positive
nitrogen balance would result.
Although endocrine parameters were not assessed in the present
study, previous studies of hormones in exercising children support a
potential relationship between energy availability and anabolic
functions, which may provide insight into our findings. Growth hormone
(GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) have been shown to be
affected by exercise and diet, with nutritional status as a major
factor in the proper functioning of the GHIGF-I axis
(13)
. Recent work investigating the effect of increased
physical activity in adolescents on GH binding protein (GHBP) and
IGF-1, found a significant reduction in circulating GHBP and IGF-I
in the training group as well as a significant increase in IGFBP-2
(14)
. The reduced GHBP might suggest diminished
responsiveness to GH. Similarly, a recent study demonstrated that 5 wk
of increased physical activity in adolescent females led to a 14% drop
in plasma IGF-I concentrations (15)
. Interestingly,
the changes noted in IGF-I and IGFBP-2 in those studies are
consistent with energy-deficient states, yet the increased energy
expenditure in the trained group did not result in weight loss. Our
results suggest a similar paradox and are consistent with increased
energy expenditure without a corresponding weight loss. Although our
subjects were not "food restricted" per se, it is possible that no
change in energy intake during the exercise intervention period
affected the multiple energy-requiring processes associated with
protein utilization.
From an empirical standpoint, children routinely engage in physical activity and sports while growing and suffer no apparent ill effects. What remains to be defined is whether a unique "window" of time exists during growth during which children may be more susceptible to metabolic alterations when faced with the additional energy demands associated with consistent programmed aerobic exercise. Although there are not enough longitudinal data to support a consensus regarding the long-term effects of physical activity in young children, it appears that consistent exercise might modulate protein utilization when nutritional status, particularly energy intake, is suboptimal. The responses noted in this investigation may be reversed or possibly blunted by a modest increase in energy intake to offset the increased energy demands associated with consistent physical activity.
Changes in protein utilization occurred in the presence of increases in
linear height. Protein and energy intakes remained constant throughout
the study. Although protein intake was adequate, our data suggest that
energy intake may not have balanced expenditure, creating an acute
situation of negative energy balance that was physiologically relevant
with regard to protein utilization. Although a nonexercise control
group was not included in the present studys design, each subject
served as his or her own control. At this time, we do not believe that
the apparent modulation in protein turnover after the exercise
intervention can be accounted for solely by the accompanying growth of
the children, particularly because similar, more pronounced changes
were noted in response to a resistance training program in a similar
population (16)
. Without question, these findings warrant
further investigation. Longitudinal studies incorporating a nonexercise
control group and longer periods of exercise training are required to
further document our observations and to better characterize the
implications of consistent, programmed aerobic exercise on dietary
requirements and protein utilization in young children.
| ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
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| FOOTNOTES |
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2 Supported by NRICGP/U.S. Department of Agriculture 9703709 and the University of Connecticut Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station (SAES). SAES Scientific Contribution #2016. ![]()
4 Abbreviations used: FM, fat mass; GH, growth hormone; GHBP, growth hormone binding protein; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; IGFBP, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins; Net, net protein balance; PB, protein breakdown; Post, post-testing after the walking program; Pre, baseline testing before the walking program; PS, protein synthesis; Q, nitrogen flux; REE, resting energy expenditure; TEE, total energy expenditure. ![]()
Manuscript received February 7, 2001. Initial review completed March 12, 2001. Revision accepted July 16, 2001.
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