Physical activity counteracts the influence of mental work on blood pressure in healthy children

Abstract

BackgroundWhile mental work (MW) is known to increase blood pressure (BP) in healthy adults, there is a hypotensive effect post-exercise. However, changes in heart rate (HR) and BP induced by MW in close proximity to physical activity in children are not well described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of MW on HR and BP in children and whether prior acute physical activity influences those effects. MethodsTwenty-five healthy children (11±1years) were evaluated during two experimental conditions using a randomized crossover design. HR and BP were measured during 1-) 60min of MW (French class) preceded by a 60-min resting period (R-MW) and 2-) 60min of MW preceded by a 60-min physical education class (Ex-MW). ResultsFollowing the resting period, MW increased systolic BP (R-MW vs. rest; 99±8 vs. 94±7mmHg; p<0.05) and diastolic BP (65±5 vs. 60±5mmHg; p<0.05). MW did not influence HR (p=0.99). Prior physical activity abolished the elevation in BP induced by MW. ConclusionThese results suggest that MW increases BP in children. However, a physical education class performed before MW seems to counteract the effects on BP.