Hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, contributing to more than 10 million deaths annually [1]. Although it is often perceived as a condition affecting middle-aged and older adults, recent epidemiological trends indicate a rising prevalence among young adults, particularly in urban areas with rapid lifestyle transitions [2, 3]. Urbanization, accompanied by sedentary behaviors, unhealthy dietary patterns, and increased psychosocial stress, has been identified as a significant driver of elevated blood pressure in this demographic [4].

Regular physical activity has long been recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for the prevention and management of hypertension [5, 6]. Aerobic and resistance training have been shown to improve vascular function, enhance autonomic regulation, and reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure [7, 8]. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults aged 18–64 years engage in at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, for optimal cardiovascular health [9].

Despite these guidelines, adherence among young adults, especially in urban environments, remains suboptimal due to academic or occupational demands, reliance on motorized transport, and recreational screen time. Several studies have demonstrated an inverse association between habitual physical activity and resting blood pressure in various populations, yet evidence focusing specifically on healthy urban young adults is relatively scarce.

Given the potential of early lifestyle modification in reducing long-term cardiovascular risk, it is important to assess the relationship between regular physical activity and blood pressure in this age group. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of regular physical activity on resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure among young adults living in urban settings.

Study Population

A total of 200 healthy young adults aged 18–25 years were recruited through purposive sampling. Participants were stratified into two groups:

• Physically active group: Individuals reporting ≥150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity or ≥75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity physical activity for the past six months (n=100).
• Sedentary group: Individuals engaging in <60 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity (n=100).

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age between 18 and 25 years.
2. Resident of an urban area for at least 3 years.
3. No history of cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disorders.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Current use of antihypertensive, corticosteroid, or weight-loss medication.
2. History of smoking, alcohol abuse, or substance dependence.
3. Pregnancy or recent childbirth (<6 months).

Data Collection Procedure

Participants completed a structured questionnaire capturing demographic details, physical activity levels, and lifestyle habits. Physical activity classification was based on the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) criteria.

Blood Pressure Measurement

Resting blood pressure was measured using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer (Omron HEM-7120, Japan). Measurements were taken in a seated position after 10 minutes of rest, with the arm supported at heart level. Three readings were obtained at one-minute intervals, and the average of the last two readings was recorded.

Anthropometric Measurements

Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from weight and height measurements taken using a standardized weighing scale and stadiometer.

Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Between-group comparisons were made using independent samples t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 200 participants (mean age: 21.2 ± 2.1 years) were included, with an equal distribution between the physically active group (n=100) and the sedentary group (n=100). Baseline characteristics are presented in Table 1. No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of age, sex distribution, or BMI (p>0.05), indicating comparability of the study cohorts.

Mean resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the physically active group compared to the sedentary group (SBP: 114.2 ± 7.5 mmHg vs 121.5 ± 8.1 mmHg, p<0.001; DBP: 72.4 ± 5.8 mmHg vs 76.9 ± 6.2 mmHg, p<0.001) (Table 2).

The prevalence of prehypertension was markedly reduced in the physically active group (12%) compared with the sedentary group (28%), and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.004) (Table 3).

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of study participants

Table 2. Comparison of resting blood pressure between groups

Table 3. Blood pressure category distribution among participants

These findings suggest that engagement in regular physical activity is associated with significantly lower resting blood pressure and reduced risk of prehypertension among young urban adults.

The present study demonstrated that young adults engaging in regular physical activity exhibited significantly lower resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared to their sedentary counterparts. Furthermore, the prevalence of prehypertension was notably reduced among the active group, supporting the hypothesis that physical activity plays a preventive role in early blood pressure elevation.

Our results align with previous evidence indicating that regular aerobic and resistance exercises contribute to favorable hemodynamic adaptations, including reduced peripheral vascular resistance and improved endothelial function [1, 2]. The observed difference in mean SBP (7.3 mmHg) and DBP (4.5 mmHg) between the active and sedentary groups is clinically meaningful, as even modest reductions in blood pressure have been shown to substantially decrease cardiovascular event risk [3, 4].

The physiological mechanisms underlying these benefits include enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability, improved arterial compliance, and modulation of sympathetic nervous system activity [5, 6]. Long-term training may also lead to structural vascular remodeling and improved baroreceptor sensitivity, both of which contribute to sustained blood pressure control [7, 8].

Similar findings have been reported among college students and urban youth populations in other countries, suggesting that the beneficial effects of physical activity on blood pressure are consistent across diverse settings [9, 10]. However, adherence to recommended activity levels remains low among urban young adults due to academic demands, prolonged screen exposure, and limited access to recreational facilities [11, 12].

The reduction in prehypertension prevalence observed in our active cohort is noteworthy. Previous cohort studies have shown that prehypertension in young adults significantly increases the risk of developing sustained hypertension within a decade [13]. Early lifestyle interventions, particularly structured physical activity programs, have been recommended as a cost-effective preventive approach in this population [14].

Despite these positive findings, our study had some limitations. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, and physical activity levels were self-reported, which may be subject to recall bias. Additionally, dietary factors, sleep quality, and stress levels, which could influence blood pressure, were not controlled in the analysis. Future research should incorporate longitudinal follow-up and objective activity monitoring, such as accelerometry, to strengthen causal conclusions.

Overall, the findings reinforce global public health recommendations advocating regular physical activity as a primary strategy for blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk reduction in young adults [15]. Targeted awareness campaigns and accessible urban exercise initiatives may play a vital role in improving compliance with these guidelines.

Regular physical activity is associated with significantly lower resting blood pressure and reduced prevalence of prehypertension among young urban adults. Promoting active lifestyles in this population may serve as an effective, low-cost strategy to prevent the early onset of hypertension and its long-term cardiovascular consequences.

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