ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS ACTIVITY WITH BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG ADULTS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Main Article Content
Keywords
Sports activity, blood pressure, young adults, prehypertension, Hypertension
Abstract
Background: Hypertension is an emergent public health concern in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, where lifestyle-related risk factors are on the rise. Despite this trend, limited data exist on the relationship between sports activity, body mass index (BMI), and dietary patterns in young adults. Given that early adulthood is a critical period for establishing lifelong health behaviors, research in this population is essential for guiding targeted prevention strategies.
Objective: This study is planned to explore difference in blood pressure on the basis of sports activity and find association of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with sports activity in young adults.
Methodology: In the present study, data were collected from 589 young adults aged between 17 and 21 years. Information regarding sports activity was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Blood pressure measurements were recorded using a mercury sphygmomanometer, with participants seated comfortably in a quiet environment. For accuracy, three separate readings were taken for each participant, and the average was used for analysis.
Results: A total of 589 young adults (325 males and 264 females) participated in the study. Based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, participants were classified into normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive groups. According to systolic blood pressure, 521 individuals (88.5%) were normotensive, while 10.2% were prehypertensive and 1.3% hypertensive. In terms of diastolic blood pressure, 90% of participants had normal readings, whereas 6.8% and 3.2% fell within the prehypertensive and hypertensive ranges, respectively. Regarding physical activity, 555 subjects reported mild sports participation, whereas 222 engaged in moderate-intensity sports. Statistically significant differences in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed between male and female participants, as well as across physical activity groups. Moreover, a strong association was identified between levels of sports activity and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a strong association between levels of sports activity with blood pressure among young adults. These findings describe the potential role of regular physical activity in blood pressure maintenance. Preventive strategies designed to reduce the risk of hypertension should include promoting awareness about the benefits of sports participation to maintain a healthy body weight.
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Farah Hassan
Consultant Family medicine PHCC Qatar
Hassan Shahbaz
Cornerstone surgery Chorley old road Bolton
Saqib Sohail
The institute of molecular biology and biotechnology/ Center for research in molecular Medicine, the University of Lahore
Tahir Maqbool
The institute of molecular biology and biotechnology/ Center for research in molecular Medicine, the University of Lahore
Abdul Majeed Cheema
The institute of molecular biology and biotechnology/ Center for research in molecular Medicine, the University of Lahore