(48) INCREASED BODY MASS AND HYPERTENSION (HTN) IN DIVISION I FOOTBALL ATHLETES THROUGHOUT THE PREPARATORY PERIOD

Abstract Details: INTRO: Obesity is shown to be a common risk factor for the development of hypertension
(HTN). Repetitive bouts of exercise training (concurrent) has been shown to reduce fat mass
along with mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) across the preparatory period of collegiate
football.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between body composition and
hypertension (HTN) in Division I Football athletes during the preparatory period.

Methods:
Seventy Division I football players were tested after the spring season: Age (20.2±1.6yrs), height
(183.1±10.7cm), body mass (BM 103.3kg±21.7kg), fat free mass (FFM 84.0±13.6kg), body fat
percent (18.9±9.3%), resting heart rate (67.4 ± 9.5bpm), and systolic blood pressure (SBP 124.2
± 12.6mmHg). Height, body mass/composition were measured using multifrequency
bioelectrical impedance while hemodynamics were measured using an automated
sphygmomanometer. Elevated blood pressure was defined by the AHA guidelines as a
continuous variable (>120 and/or >80 mmHg). A stepwise logistic regression model was created
to determine if non-blood pressure biometric data collected on the players could predict
hypertension status.

Results: 35/70 or 50% of the athletes were coded as meeting the AHA
diagnostic criteria of >elevated blood pressure. A significant logistic regression model (χ2 =
15.67; p < 0.01) existed with BM being the sole significant predictor of hypertensive status. The
model explained 27% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in hypertensive status and correctly
classified 75.8% of cases (n =70). The logistic regression equation was Logit(HT) = -5.20 +
0.05(kg). Results indicate that one kilogram increase in BM would increase the likelihood of
hypertension by 5% (95% CI: 2-8%). No other biometric variable predicted hypertensive status
in this population. Contrariwise, 9/11 who were obese (all lineman) were hypertensive indicating
a strong relationship with body fat and hypertension despite significant exercise training.

Conclusion: Hypertension amongst our sample (50%) exceeded all known frequency
reported in the literature, which is shown to be (3% across all athletes). Increased BM may be a
risk factor for developing hypertension amongst D1 collegiate football players. Fat mass and
FFM may not be reliable predictors of cardiovascular disease in Division I athletes. Further
testing is needed to determine the mechanisms responsible for the prevalence of HTN in D1
Football athletes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Increased body mass and fat mass may
increase risk for elevated blood pressure throughout the annual training cycle. Furthermore,
elevated blood pressure is shown to increase in a 5yr follow up which increases risk for
cardiovascular disease in collegiate football players.

Acknowledgements: None