Habitual physical activity and blood pressure

Abstract

Habitual physical activity of about 1,700 males, age 16 years and over, in a total community was assessed by questionnaire and interview. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was recorded as part of their medical examination. The present analysis is concerned with the relationship between habitual physical activity and blood pressure. By means of questionnaire-interview data it was possible to estimate average energy expenditure, peak energy expenditure and hours spent at particular activities. This could be calculated separately for occupation, leisure or both. These indices were studied in relation to blood pressure. More active men had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, on the average, regardless of age. The estimate for average daily energy expenditure (occupation and leisure) provided most consistent relationships with blood pressure. The degree of body fatness was positively correlated with blood pressure and body fatness was higher in sedentary men, Analyses were repeated among sub-samples, i.e., leaner subjects and fatter subjects. In these sub-groups the tendency for active people to have lower blood pressure persisted but became less marked. Smoking habits also did not acount for the relationship between physical activity and blood pressure.