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Physical activity and blood pressure in childhood: findings from a population-based study

Sam D Leary1, Andy R Ness, George Davey Smith

  • 1Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ UK. s.d.leary@bristol.ac.uk

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|December 12, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Higher physical activity (PA) in children is linked to lower blood pressure (BP). Study results suggest that the total volume of activity is more crucial for cardiovascular health than the intensity of exercise.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) development initiates in early life, with elevated blood pressure (BP) in childhood tracking into adulthood.
  • While the link between physical activity (PA) and BP is established in adults, findings in children are inconsistent, often due to limited objective PA measurement.
  • Mechanical PA measurement in children is crucial for understanding its impact on blood pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between objectively measured physical activity and blood pressure in children.
  • To determine if the volume or intensity of physical activity has a stronger relationship with blood pressure in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 5505 children aged 11-12 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
  • Employed accelerometer measures to objectively assess PA, including total counts per minute (cpm) and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA).
  • Collected systolic and diastolic BP measurements, along with data on potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • A small inverse association was observed between PA and systolic BP, with higher PA correlating to lower BP.
  • Associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, and other confounders, though weakened.
  • When both PA volume and intensity were considered, total PA showed a stronger inverse association with systolic BP than MVPA.

Conclusions:

  • Increased levels of physical activity are associated with lower blood pressure in children.
  • The findings suggest that the overall volume of physical activity may play a more significant role in blood pressure regulation than the intensity of the activity.
  • Objective measurement of PA provides valuable insights into pediatric cardiovascular health.

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