The association between the intensity of physical activity and the risk of sarcopenia in adolescents: NHANES 2014-2018

Purpose The relationship between moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) concerning the risk of sarcopenia in adolescents remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between MPA, VPA, and the risk of sarcopenia in adolescents. Method This study utilized NHANES data from 2014 to 2018 from 6,415 adolescent participants. Weighted logistic regression, weighted multivariate restricted cubic spline (RCS), threshold effect model, and likelihood ratio tests were used to identify the relationship between physical activity (PA) and the risk of adolescent sarcopenia. PA patterns were classified according to inflection points. Results VPA decreased the risk of sarcopenia by 56%, whereas MPA reduced it by 24%. Nonlinear relationships were observed between MPA and VPA and the risk of sarcopenia, with inflection points at 40 min and 600 min per week, respectively. Nine distinct PA patterns were classified, ranging from patterns A to I. Compared to not engaging in any duration of VPA or MPA (pattern A), performing MPA < 40 min per week (pattern B) or engaging in VPA > 600 min and MPA > 40 min weekly (pattern I) did not reduce the risk of adolescent sarcopenia. The remaining six PA patterns (C-H) reduced the risk of adolescent sarcopenia compared to pattern A. Conclusions VPA and MPV showed nonlinear relationships with the risk of sarcopenia in adolescents. Both insufficient and excessive exercise did not reduce adolescent sarcopenia risk.