The influence of Aerobic Capacity in Blood Pressure in schoolchildren ages 12-16

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate if individual differences in aerobic capacity are related to blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and to heart rate. High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease and its development is thought to begin at an early age. The sample of the present study was 111 children from 12 to 16 years of age. VO2max was estimated from the results of the 1-mile run walk test of the health related Fitnessgram test battery (CIAR, 1997) and participants were categorized into three zones (the best zone, the healthy fitness zone and the needs improvement zone), per age and sex according to the norms of the Fitnessgram test. We also measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as the heart rate. According to the results, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in boys than in girls (p<.05), but there were no differences in heart rate. Individuals classified in the “best zone” and in the “healthy fitness zone” had significant lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure than the individuals belonging in the “needs improvement” zone (p<.001). In conclusion, young people that have better aerobic capacity have also lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but not lower heart rate. These findings should indicate that the school physical education lessons might aim at the initial prevention of hypertension, one of the main factors of cardiovascular disease, via the improvement of aerobic capacity.