Introduction/purpose: Limited studies have examined the association of physical activity with reproductive hormones, DNA methylation, and pubertal status among adolescents.
Methods: Among 248 boys and 271 girls, we estimated daily physical activity levels based on 7 d of wrist-worn accelerometer data. We used an isotemporal substitution paradigm and sex-stratified regression models to examine the association of physical activity levels with 1) testosterone, cortisol, progesterone, and androstenedione concentrations; 2) DNA methylation of long interspersed nucleotide (LINE-1) repeats and the genes H19, hydroxysteroid (11-Beta) dehydrogenase 2 (HSD11B2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) from blood leukocytes; and 3) Tanner stages, adjusted for age, BMI, and socioeconomic status.
Results: In boys, substituting 30 min of moderate physical activity for 30 min of sedentary behavior per day was associated with 29% (-49%, 0%) of lower testosterone and 29% (4%, 61%) of higher progesterone. Substituting 30 min of light physical activity for sedentary behavior was associated with 13% (-22%, -2%) of lower progesterone. Among girls, 30 min of additional sedentary behavior was associated with 8% (-15%, 0%) of lower testosterone and 24% (8%, 42%) of higher progesterone concentrations. Substituting 30 min of moderate physical activity for sedentary behavior was associated with 15% (0%, 31%) of higher cortisol, whereas substituting the same amount of light physical activity for sedentary behavior was associated with 22% (-39%, 0%) of lower progesterone. Substituting 30 min of vigorous physical activity for sedentary behavior per day was associated with almost six times higher levels (5.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.79-9.86) of HSD11B2 methylation in boys.
Conclusions: Accelerometer-measured daily physical activity was associated with reproductive hormones and HSD11B2 DNA methylation, differed by sex and activity intensity levels.