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Self-Selected Leisure Promotes Ambulatory Blood Pressure Dipping: A Within-Person Randomized Field Experiment
Marcellus M Merritt1, Matthew J Zawadzki2, Jack M Cowger1
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Engaging in self-selected leisure activities (SSLAs) may improve nighttime blood pressure dipping, a key indicator of cardiovascular health. This pilot study suggests SSLAs could be a strategy to promote better cardiovascular risk management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Nighttime blood pressure (BP) dipping is an early indicator of cardiovascular risk.
- Limited research exists on health behaviors that promote greater BP dipping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if self-selected leisure activities (SSLAs) promote greater nighttime BP dipping.
- To explore SSLAs as a potential behavior for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 32 healthy young adults.
- Participants underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring over two visits.
- On one day, participants engaged in an SSLA; on the other, they followed their usual routine (control).
Main Results:
- A significantly higher percentage of diastolic BP dipping was observed on SSLA days compared to control days (d = 0.54).
- Results were adjusted for Body Mass Index (BMI) and race/ethnicity.
Conclusions:
- SSLAs may be associated with improved nighttime BP dipping.
- Engagement in SSLAs could be a potential strategy to reduce future cardiovascular disease risk.
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