Increased sedentary behavior from childhood through young adulthood is associated with changes in cardiac structure and function while physical activity appears to confer protective benefits, according to results of a 13-year longitudinal study.

The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to track 1,682 participants from the age of 11-24 years.

Researchers noted that each additional minute of sedentary time per day from ages 11- 24 years correlates with a significant increase in left ventricular mass, a known predictor of future cardiovascular risk. Whereas light-intensity physical activity (LPA), was reported to associate with a 49% reduction in cardiac mass.

The researchers’ noted that these findings may be considered when updating health guidelines and recommendations.

“LPA may be prescribed and recommended in the pediatric population, especially for those with disease conditions such as hypertension and obesity and who are unwilling to participate in vigorous exercises since LPA could potentially reverse worsening cardiac indices associated with sedentary time,” the researchers concluded.

The study was funded by the UK's Medical Research Council and The Wellcome Trust.