Non-hemodynamic predictors of blood pressure in recreational sport practitioners in Cotonou, Benin Republic

Abstract

Currently, there are evidences that regular physical activity is an efficient means to control high blood pressure. This cross-sectional study aims at identifying in subjects who exercise in non-institutional structures at Cotonou, the main factors that account for the inter-individual variations of the blood pressure. Four adiposity indexes, indirectly assessed VO₂max, atherogenous blood lipids, resting heart rate and blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were assessed in 120 recreational sport practitioners (RS), aged 13 to 52 years. The characteristics of the recreational sport practitioners and the history of cardiovascular disease were also assessed in all participants. Descriptive statistics (means ± standard error of the mean) were computed for all the variables. Pearson’s coefficients of correlation were computed and a linear multiple regression was used to identify the best predictors of blood pressure. The results indicate that transportation by car or motorcycle and the length of daily walking less than 30 min correlated with high diastolic blood pressure. Age was an independent predictive variable of arterial blood pressure in this study sample (R² = 0.095, p < 0.001 for SBP; R² = 0.18, p < 0.001 for DBP). Together, and after adjustment for age, neck circumference and HDL-cholesterol were the most powerful predictors of the SBP (R² = 0.14, p < 0.05) and the sum of skinfold thickness along with the DBP (R² = 0.21, p < 0.05). It is concluded that exercises in non-institutional structures can be effective in managing hemodynamic health problems. However, this should be combined with meaningful dietary practices.