Blood Pressure Analysis among Sedentary and Moderately Active College Males Research Performed By Joseph Luncford Environmental Biology Tennessee Technological University

Introduction Multiple studies have shown that blood pressure can be lowered with increased exercise Multiple studies have shown that blood pressure can be lowered with increased exercise Most concerning older adults Most concerning older adults How does exercise effect blood pressure in young males How does exercise effect blood pressure in young males

Introduction Studies have shown that regular exercise lowers blood pressure in 75% of people suffering from hypertension (Raina and Arroll 2005) Studies have shown that regular exercise lowers blood pressure in 75% of people suffering from hypertension (Raina and Arroll 2005) The National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) lists an increase in exercise level as the number two suggestion in its lifestyle modification recommendations (Wexler and Aukerman 2006) The National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) lists an increase in exercise level as the number two suggestion in its lifestyle modification recommendations (Wexler and Aukerman 2006)

Introduction Cont’d The effects of chronic dynamic aerobic endurance training are: (1) that training lowers BP and that the net BP response is more pronounced in hypertensives than in normotensives; (2) that the BP reduction is based on a decrease in SVR, in which the sympathetic nervous system and rennin-angiostensin system appear to be involved (Cornelissen and Fagard 2005) The effects of chronic dynamic aerobic endurance training are: (1) that training lowers BP and that the net BP response is more pronounced in hypertensives than in normotensives; (2) that the BP reduction is based on a decrease in SVR, in which the sympathetic nervous system and rennin-angiostensin system appear to be involved (Cornelissen and Fagard 2005)

Introduction Cont’d Findings from several cross-sectional studies in essential hypertensive patients suggest a relationship between blood pressure variability and target-organ damage in hypertension (Garcia-Vera et al 2004) Findings from several cross-sectional studies in essential hypertensive patients suggest a relationship between blood pressure variability and target-organ damage in hypertension (Garcia-Vera et al 2004) A large number of studies indicate that endurance training will elicit a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in individuals with mild essential hypertension (Hagberg et al 1993) A large number of studies indicate that endurance training will elicit a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in individuals with mild essential hypertension (Hagberg et al 1993)

Introduction Cont’d Few studies have been done concerning how blood pressure is affected by exercise in young adult males Few studies have been done concerning how blood pressure is affected by exercise in young adult males Studies have shown that hypertension prevalence rates rise sharply with age and are also generally higher in men than in women (Hagberg et al 1999) Studies have shown that hypertension prevalence rates rise sharply with age and are also generally higher in men than in women (Hagberg et al 1999)

Objective/Null Hypothesis Objective: To determine if there is any difference in blood pressures between sedentary and moderately active college age males Objective: To determine if there is any difference in blood pressures between sedentary and moderately active college age males Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference in blood pressures for the two groups Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference in blood pressures for the two groups

Methods and Materials Blood pressures were taken from two groups of college males using an automatic blood pressure monitor Blood pressures were taken from two groups of college males using an automatic blood pressure monitor Group One: Moderately Active Group Group One: Moderately Active Group Group Two: Sedentary Group Group Two: Sedentary Group

Methods and Materials Cont’d Experimental Design Table 1. Experimental Design

Methods and Material Cont’d Group One: The Moderately Active Group Group One: The Moderately Active Group Consisted of ten males who participate in some form of structured physical activity at least three times per week Consisted of ten males who participate in some form of structured physical activity at least three times per week Studies suggest a lack of association between the blood pressure response and training intensity (Cornelissen and Fagard 2005) Studies suggest a lack of association between the blood pressure response and training intensity (Cornelissen and Fagard 2005)

Methods and Materials Cont’d Group Two: The Sedentary Group Group Two: The Sedentary Group Recent long term studies support the concept that regular exercise and increased aerobic fitness levels reduce an individual’s risk of developing hypertension (Hagberg et al 1993) Recent long term studies support the concept that regular exercise and increased aerobic fitness levels reduce an individual’s risk of developing hypertension (Hagberg et al 1993)

Methods and Materials Cont’d Blood pressures were taken at the same time of day Blood pressures were taken at the same time of day Results were logged into a data sheet (Table 2) along with age, sex, and activity level Results were logged into a data sheet (Table 2) along with age, sex, and activity level Table 2 Table 2 Table 2 Table 2

Results Table 2 shows a clear difference between blood pressures for the two groups Table 2 shows a clear difference between blood pressures for the two groups A Comparative T-test shows a p-value of 0 A Comparative T-test shows a p-value of 0 Table 3. T-test Results

Results Cont’d Figure 1 illustrates blood pressures for Group 2 Figure 1 illustrates blood pressures for Group 2 Figure 1. Box Plot for Sedentary Group  Figure 2 illustrates blood pressures for Group 1 Figure 2. Box Plot for Moderately Active Group

Discussion Visual analysis of the results indicate that exercise does have an effect on blood pressure in young, adult males Visual analysis of the results indicate that exercise does have an effect on blood pressure in young, adult males Harvard alumni who did not participate in vigorous sports had a 35% higher incidence of hypertension during a 6-10 year follow up period (Hagberg et al 1995) Harvard alumni who did not participate in vigorous sports had a 35% higher incidence of hypertension during a 6-10 year follow up period (Hagberg et al 1995) Blood pressures logged into figure 2 show a clear distinction between the two groups Blood pressures logged into figure 2 show a clear distinction between the two groups

Discussion Cont’d A p-value of 0 (Table 3) indicates that there is no similarity between Group 1 and Group 2. A p-value of 0 (Table 3) indicates that there is no similarity between Group 1 and Group 2. This allows us to reject the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the two groups This allows us to reject the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the two groups

Discussion Cont’d The box plots show that the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures are lower in Group 1 The box plots show that the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures are lower in Group 1 Figure 2. Box Plot for the Moderately Active Group

Discussion Cont’d These results were expected as countless amounts of research support the data These results were expected as countless amounts of research support the data Poor nutrition and sedentary living are associated with a constellation of risk factors (Aldana et al 2005) Poor nutrition and sedentary living are associated with a constellation of risk factors (Aldana et al 2005) Change in nutrition and physical activity can directly impact blood pressure (Aldana et al 2005) Change in nutrition and physical activity can directly impact blood pressure (Aldana et al 2005)

Discussion Cont’d Type of exercise performed was not a factor for this experiment Type of exercise performed was not a factor for this experiment Increased physical activity, together with a reduction in caloric intake alone or in combination with a reduction in alcohol intake and with or without a reductino in sodium intake, reduces the relative risk of hypertension (Cleroux et al 1999) Increased physical activity, together with a reduction in caloric intake alone or in combination with a reduction in alcohol intake and with or without a reductino in sodium intake, reduces the relative risk of hypertension (Cleroux et al 1999)

Discussion Cont’d There are other factors that may play a role in blood pressure regulation There are other factors that may play a role in blood pressure regulation Blood pressure fluctuates continuously because of the effects of superimposed physical and mental activity and of a large number of other behavioral and environmental factors (Garcia-Vera et al 2004) Blood pressure fluctuates continuously because of the effects of superimposed physical and mental activity and of a large number of other behavioral and environmental factors (Garcia-Vera et al 2004)

Conclusion The results for this experiment agree with multiple studies concerning similar studies. The results for this experiment agree with multiple studies concerning similar studies. Exercise has a tremendous effect on blood pressure, even for young adult males. Exercise has a tremendous effect on blood pressure, even for young adult males. More studies should be done to confirm these results More studies should be done to confirm these results

Conclusion Cont’d Future studies should address other factors that may have an effect on blood pressure levels such as: Future studies should address other factors that may have an effect on blood pressure levels such as: Age Age Weight Weight Diet Diet Environmental Stressors Environmental Stressors

Literature Cited Cornelissen, A, V., and Fagard, H, R Effects of Endurance Training on Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure- Regulating Mechanisms, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Hypertension. 46: Cornelissen, A, V., and Fagard, H, R Effects of Endurance Training on Blood Pressure, Blood Pressure- Regulating Mechanisms, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Hypertension. 46: Garcia-Vera. P. Maria., Sanz. Jesus., Labrador. J. Francisco Blood Pressure Variability and Stress Management Training for Essential Hypertension. Behavioral Medicine 30.2: 53 Garcia-Vera. P. Maria., Sanz. Jesus., Labrador. J. Francisco Blood Pressure Variability and Stress Management Training for Essential Hypertension. Behavioral Medicine 30.2: 53 Hagberg. James. M., Blair. Steven. N., Ehasani. Ali. A., Gordon. Neil. F., Kaplan. N., Tipton. Charles., Paffengarger. Ralph. S Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Hypertension. American College of Sports Medicine 25:10 Hagberg. James. M., Blair. Steven. N., Ehasani. Ali. A., Gordon. Neil. F., Kaplan. N., Tipton. Charles., Paffengarger. Ralph. S Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Hypertension. American College of Sports Medicine 25:10

Literature Cited Cont’d Hagberg. James. M., Blair. Steven. N., Ehasani. Ali. A., Gordon. Neil. F., Kaplan. N., Tipton. Charles., Paffengarger. Ralph. S Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Hypertension. American College of Sports Medicine 25:10 Hagberg. James. M., Blair. Steven. N., Ehasani. Ali. A., Gordon. Neil. F., Kaplan. N., Tipton. Charles., Paffengarger. Ralph. S Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Hypertension. American College of Sports Medicine 25:10 Raina. C. Elley, and B. Arroll Refining the exercise prescription for hypertension. Lancet : Raina. C. Elley, and B. Arroll Refining the exercise prescription for hypertension. Lancet : Wexler, R, and Aukerman, G Nonpharmacologic strategies for managing hypertension. American Family Physician 73.11: Wexler, R, and Aukerman, G Nonpharmacologic strategies for managing hypertension. American Family Physician 73.11: 1953.