When infants born prematurely at extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and term-born normal-weight infants reach late adolescence, they show significant differences in aerobic fitness, strength, endurance, flexibility, and activity level, new research shows.

ELBW teens have lower aerobic capacity, grip strength, leg power, and vertical jump ability, compared with term-born teens, researchers report in the journal Pediatrics.

ELBW teens can’t do as many push-ups as term-born teens and they have less abdominal strength, lower back flexibility and tighter hamstrings, according to the study in which investigators assessed motor performance at 17 years of age in 53 ELBW survivors born weighing 800 grams or less and in 31 term-born controls.

In addition, the study team found that ELBW teens are less likely to participate in sports, have lower physical activity levels, and poorer coordination than term-born teens.

“It is not clear whether these differences are due to intrinsic effects of prematurity, or are at least partly due to the particularly inactive lifestyle chosen by ex-tiny babies in adolescence,” said Dr. Michael F. Whitfield from the University of British Columbia.

These findings have potential implications for later adult health problems, the researchers warn.

“Inactivity in children and teens, coupled with excessive food intake, is of course thought to be the cause of the current epidemic of childhood obesity, and appearance of Type 2 diabetes in childhood,” Whitfield commented.

“Furthermore, the choice of a particularly inactive lifestyle by ex-tiny baby teens is of further concern, as low birthweight has been coupled to early onset of the adult metabolic syndrome (obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, Stroke, and Heart attack),” he added.

“Finding effective ways to encourage ex-premature babies to participate regularly in noncompetitive physical activity as part of their lifestyle may be very important in relation to their long-term health in adulthood,” Whitfield said

SOURCE: Pediatrics July, 2005.