•  
  •  
 

THE EFFECTS OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCY ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN DIVISION I COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

Abstract

Sydnee G. Brothers, Marc Cook, FACSM, Heather Colleran, Lauren San Diego, Troy Purdom. North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC.

Calcium is vital to cardiovascular function and necessary for cardiovascular muscle contraction, which helps regulate blood pressure (BP). Therefore, calcium deficiency (CD) can play a role in high blood pressure (HBP). The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between CD and HBP in athletes. Thirteen male and ten female D1 African American athletes: (HT: 197.5±12.4cm, mass 79.4±19.6kg, body fat 19.0±8.9%) from various sports participated. Heigh, mass and body composition were measured using a stadiometer and bioelectrical impedance respectively. BP was measured with a sphygmomanometer after resting for five minutes. HBP was defined as (>120 - <130 mmHg systolic BP and <80 mmHg Diastolic BP). Total energy intake (TEI) was measured using a 3-day food recall and reviewed by sports dieticians. Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) was estimated using the Shofield formula and a physical activity level of 1.8 relevant to preseason. Energy balance was assessed as Energy Balance = (TEI-TEE). Statistical analysis included Spearman correlation coefficients, standardized mean difference, independent T tests and Cohen’s D to evaluate relationships between calcium, energy balance, and HBP with two binary variables P1=caloric deficiency (yes/no) and P2=HBP (yes/no). P-value was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test (p<0.05). A weak relationship was observed (r=0.18; Cl = -0.55, 0.25) between athletes with HBP and CD (p=0.60). A moderate relationship with caloric deficiency and HBP (r=0.56) was observed where 87% who were calorie deficient were hypertensive. CD was not a reliable indicator of HBP while energy deficiency may inform cardiovascular dysfunction in African American D1 athletes.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS