Higher exercise frequency associated with lower blood pressure in Hong Kong adolescents: a population-based study

J Hum Hypertens. 2010 Oct;24(10):646-51. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2009.117. Epub 2010 Jan 21.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the association between blood pressure and the frequency of structured physical training activity in Chinese adolescents. A total of 9558 students aged 11-18 years underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements in a cross-sectional growth study. Structured physical training activity was assessed by two simple self-administered questions and parents were asked to complete a questionnaire providing demographic information. Ninety per cent of eligible students participated in the study, of which 94% provided data on physical training frequency for final analysis. Of the boys, 22.6% and of the girls, 14.5% were physically active with extracurricular school exercise at least twice a week. Over half of the students did not regularly exercise except during physical education classes at school. Blood pressure had a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI). Both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were substantially decreased with increased training frequency (P<0.05). Logistic regression adjusting for age, family history of hypertension, BMI and sleep duration showed that exercising two or more times a week had a negative relation with hypertension (odds ratio: 0.63, 95%CI 0.47-0.85). In conclusion, structured physical training activity of two or more times a week has a beneficial effect on blood pressure in Hong Kong children aged 11-18 years.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Blood Pressure*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Surveys
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors