TITLE:
Practicing One Sport per Week Could Help to Control Blood Pressure: An Exploratory Study among Secondary Pupils in Northern Benin
AUTHORS:
Wilfrid K. Agbodjogbe, Jaures H. F. Lokonon, Ghislain M. Aholouyeyi, Paloma S. Babadoudou, Issiako Bio Nigan
KEYWORDS:
Blood Pressure, Physical Activity, School, North Benin, Hypertension
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.12 No.2,
May
26,
2022
ABSTRACT: The prevention of cardiovascular disease could be
better efficient if the follow-up of blood pressure (BP) profile was effective
during childhood. Investigations on the normal range of blood pressure during
early life and adolescence were not sufficiently documented in African
countries for foreseeing adequate prevented health public actions. This study
aims to determine the blood pressure profile in apparently healthy pupils and
to identify modifiable risk factors (diet, lifestyle, and weight status).
Ninety-five pupils were included in the study and their blood pressure was
measured. A questionnaire was administered to them for approaching the factors associated with profile
blood pressure. Anthropometrics measurements were performed by personal trained
according to WHO recommendations. The mean of Systolic Blood Pressure
(SBP)/Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) of sampled pupils was SBP/DBP 107.53 ±
6.18/78.16 ± 4.43 mmHg. Only one pupil had high blood pressure (BP: 120 to 129
mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic). Adjusting for age and sex,
Body mass index for age (BAZ), like to eat less salt and drink alcohol and
practicing sport were associated to increase BP profile of pupils. Meanwhile,
duration of sport practice and consumption of less fatty food was associated
with low blood pressure (systolic or diastolic). The duration of practice per
week appeared to be significantly and negatively associated with high blood
pressure. Children who practiced more than 4 hours of sport per week had a
diastolic blood pressure of less than 4.54 mmHg than those who practiced sport for
less than 4 hours (p = 0.00). Playing
sports at school for more than four hours a week and not exposing at school to
alcohol and fatty foods could help control blood pressure in pupils. However,
further research will be required to confirm these findings.