Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine separate and combined associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and musculoskeletal fitness (MF) with hypertension. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were 764 men and women aged 45–75 years, who were part of the Homeland War between 1990 to 1995 (33.5% women). CRF included the 2-min step test, while MF was consisted of push-ups in 30 s, chair-stands in 30 s and sit-ups in 30 s. The prevalence of hypertension was defined according to new American College of Cardiology and American Hearts Association Blood Pressure Guidelines for systolic and diastolic blood pressure of ≥130 mmHg and/or ≥80 mmHg. Results: In models adjusted for sex, age, fatness and fasting blood glucose, we found a graded inverse association between CRF and MF with hypertension. Less cardiorespiratory and muscular fit individuals were more likely to have hypertension. When CRF and MF were combined, individuals with high MF and low CRF, low MF and high CRF and low MF and CRF were 1.77, 2.15 and 7.09 more likely to have of hypertension. Conclusion: Both CRF and MF are associated with the prevalence of hypertension, while the magnitude of the associations between MF and hypertension was more pronounced.
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause the highest number of premature deaths worldwide [1], with hypertension being its leading factor [2,3]
Our main findings are: (1) lower levels of musculoskeletal fitness (MF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are significantly associated with the presence of hypertension, (2) after adjusting for sex, age, fatness and fasting blood glucose, lower levels of MF and CRF remain significantly associated with the presence of hypertension and (3)
Our findings suggest that CRF is inversely associated with the presence of hypertension, which is in line with previous longitudinal [8,13,14,15] and cross-sectional studies [12]
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause the highest number of premature deaths worldwide [1], with hypertension being its leading factor [2,3]. The transitions in economy, dietary patterns and lifestyle habits have led to unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity (PA) [3], which have been the most significant factors for developing the risk of hypertension [2]. It has been well-documented, that the higher levels of PA have been inversely associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases and their risk factors [6,7,8], including hypertension. From the physiological point of view, exercise may have favorable effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, renin-angiotensin system activity and insulin sensitivity [11]
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