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Stability of systolic blood pressure reactivity to exercise in young children
J F Sallis1, T L Patterson, T L McKenzie
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0631.
Insights
Childhood blood pressure reactivity to exercise is a stable trait, predicting long-term cardiovascular health. This study found significant 1-week and 6-month stability in systolic blood pressure reactivity among preschoolers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiovascular health
- Developmental psychology
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Childhood blood pressure reactivity to stress is a predictor of adult hypertension.
- Understanding early childhood blood pressure reactivity is crucial for preventative health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the short-term (1-week) and longer-term (6-month) stability of systolic blood pressure reactivity to exercise in preschool children.
- To identify factors influencing blood pressure reactivity in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-three low-income preschool children (mean age 3.9 years) participated.
- Systolic blood pressure reactivity was measured following a 40-meter run stressor on four separate occasions over 6 months.
- Statistical analyses examined the stability of reactive blood pressure levels and their correlation with sex, BMI, family history, and Type A behavior.
Main Results:
- Significant 1-week (r = 0.39–0.50) and 6-month (r = 0.56) stability of systolic blood pressure reactivity was observed.
- Reactive systolic blood pressure was more stable than resting systolic or diastolic blood pressure.
- No significant associations were found between reactivity and sex, BMI, family cardiovascular disease history, or child Type A behavior.
Conclusions:
- Systolic blood pressure reactivity to exercise is a stable characteristic that emerges in early childhood.
- This early stability suggests a potential enduring physiological trait relevant to long-term cardiovascular health.
- Further research can explore the implications of this early stability for hypertension development.
Abstract:
Blood pressure reactivity to stress in childhood has predicted development of hypertension 45 years later, so it is important to understand the characteristics of blood pressure reactivity in childhood. The present study assessed the 1-week and 6-month stability of systolic blood pressure reactivity to a 40-meter run stressor in preschool children. Sixty-three low-income children (mean age, 3.9 years) were assessed on four different days over a 6-month period. One-week stability (r = 0.39 to 0.50) and 6-month stability (r = 0.56) of reactive systolic blood pressure levels were highly significant. Reactive systolic blood pressure level was more stable than resting systolic or diastolic blood pressure in this sample. Sex, body mass index, family cardiovascular disease history, and child Type A behavior all were unrelated to systolic blood pressure reactivity. Systolic blood pressure reactivity to exercise appears to be an enduring characteristic that emerges in early childhood.