Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: Jun 01, 2019

Systolic Blood Pressure Responses in Relation to Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Young Adults

Page Range: 55 – 63
DOI: 10.31189/2165-6193-8.2.55
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ABSTRACT

Background: We aimed to assess systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses in relation to the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels of apparently healthy, young Nigerian adults during and after a submaximal-effort exercise test.

Methods: One hundred and twelve young adults (62 males and 50 females) participated in the study and were grouped according to their CRF levels—low, moderate, and high. The participants performed submaximal ergometer exercise tests to elicit exercise and postexercise blood pressure responses.

Results: Males and females with high CRF indicated significantly (P < 0.05) higher change of exercise SBP at peak exercise (ΔEx·SBPpeak), and post-SBP decline compared with the other CRF groups. In addition, higher (P < 0.05) ΔEx·SBP2min and faster SBP recovery time were observed in the high CRF group compared to low CRF group. Females with high CRF had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher peak oxygen pulse and energy expenditure compared with the lower CRF groups. There was a very low incidence of abnormal SBP responses among the study population.

Conclusion: Greater exercise SBP responses, an indication of higher cardiac output due to greater metabolic demand, and faster SBP recovery were observed in participants with a high CRF compared with the other CRF groups. These findings suggest that regular exercise which maintains a higher CRF in young Nigerian adults may be related to a healthy SBP exercise response.

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Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.

Changes in systolic blood pressure from pre-exercise to peak exercise and during recovery according to CRF statuses of participants.


Contributor Notes

1Physiology Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

Address for correspondence: Dimkpa Uchechukwu, Physiology Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, P.M.B. 5025, Anambra State, Nigeria; +234-07037362106; e-mail: positivedoings@yahoo.com.

Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: There is no conflict of interest. The research was privately funded.