Abnormal blood pressure response to exercise in badminton athletes

Abstract

Summary Purpose This study aimed to examine blood pressure changes in response to exercise and to identify blood pressure abnormalities in collegiate male and female athletes. Material and methods Sixteen collegiate badminton players 16–22 years of age and with 3–8 years of badminton experience participated in the study. Participants’ blood pressure was recorded before and after a multistage fitness test. Results Following exercise, blood pressure significantly increased; mean maximum systolic blood pressure (SBPmax) and SBP delta (the difference between post- and pre-exercise SBP) were 100 mmHg, an abnormal blood pressure response to exercise. Conclusion The findings support the notion that blood pressure response to exercise may be an important diagnostic parameter in normotensive athletes at risk of developing hypertension and/or cardiovascular diseases. Monitoring athletes’ exercise blood pressure by coaches, trainers, or sports scientists thus constitutes an important part of athletes’ fitness evaluation.