[Data from a study of variations of arterial pressure during exercise in boys aged 11 to 16]

Systolic, diastolic BP and heart rate were measured in 106 boys aged between 11 and 16 years old, at rest and during exercise on a bicycle ergometer. The results show: -- at rest: an increase in systolic and diastolic BP with age, and a decrease in heart rate; -- during exercise: an increase in systolic BP without an increase, or with a decrease in diastolic BP. The blood pressure readings were higher in overweight and post pubertal subjects. The value of this study lies in the high number of reproducible readings obtained and in the suppression of the effects of emotivity. It completes the observations made at rest in subjects suspected of having hypertension.