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RUN OUT BLOOD PRESURE: THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND BLOOD PRESSURE AND SIT-TIME

Abstract

Megan Conner1, Constance Haynes1, Jonathan Williams1, Larissa Boyd1, Melissa Powers1. 1University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma

The implementation of the new American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA)blood pressure guidelines has added to the increase in the number of individuals classified as hypertensive. Increasing physical activity and reducing sit-time is recommended to combat hypertension. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between physical activity(PA) and sit-time (ST)and blood pressure (BP) in university employees. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant inverse relationship between PA and BP and a direct relationship between ST and BP. METHODS: In this study the participants were faculty and staff members of a regional university in the Midwest, that were included in a larger workplace intervention (n=51).Baseline data was used for this study. The participants completed a self-reported physical activity questionnaire (The International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) to determine their amount of PA engagement(met/min/wk-1)and ST. Both systolic and diastolic resting BP(mmHg)were assessed using a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer following at least five minutes of sitting. RESULTS: There was a non-significant relationship between PA and BP(p>0.05)and ST and BP(p>0.05)when analyzed with a Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. To further analyze these results, the participants were classified based on BP as normal (<120/<80; n = 23), pre-hypertensive (120-129/<80; n =6), or hypertensive (>130/>80; n =22). However, due to a low amount of participants classified as prehypertensive, only participants classified as normal and hypertensive were analyzed. Differences in PA and ST between the groups based on BP classification were also non-significant (p>0.05)when analyzed with an independent t-test. CONCLUSION: Self-reported PA and ST were not related to BP in this study; however, other research reports significant correlations. The participants in this study were a part of a larger study including a workplace intervention to decrease sedentary time. This could explain the difference between the results from this study and those from previous studies. Future studies should focus on the relationship between PA and ST and BP in a variety of groups with diverse backgrounds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This project was funded by the University of Central Oklahoma, Research and Sponsored Programs office.

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