Physical activity and blood pressure in 10,000 Mediterranean adults: The EPIC-Florence cohort

Background and aims The relevant role of physical activity (PA) in cardiovascular risk prevention is widely agreed. We aimed to evaluate, in a large Mediterranean population, the influence of PA on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), taking into account individual characteristics and lifestyle habits. Methods and results In the Florence section of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition 10,163 individuals, 35–64 years, without a previous diagnosis of hypertension were recruited. Information on occupational and leisure-time PA and blood pressure were collected at recruitment, together with data on lifestyle, dietary habits and anthropometry. Multivariate regression models were applied to evaluate the effect of total, occupational and leisure-time PA on SBP and DBP. Mean values of SBP and DBP in the study subjects were 124.4 (SD 15.6) and 79.7 mmHg (SD 9.4), respectively. Overall, a total PA index and an index including cycling, fitness and occupational PA (Cambridge index) were inversely associated with DBP (beta −0.87, p-value 0.02 actives vs inactives, p for trend 0.02 and beta −0.84, p value 0.003 actives vs inactives, p for trend 0.002, respectively), while SBP was associated only with the latter index (beta −1.14, p-value 0.01 actives vs inactives, p for trend 0.006). An inverse association emerged between manual/heavy manual occupation and DBP (p 0.02, ref sedentary/standing occupation) and between increasing cycling activity and SBP (p for trend 0.04). Conclusions In this large cohort of Mediterranean adults without a diagnosis of hypertension we confirm the role of overall PA in modulating SBP and DBP values. Cycling and manual occupations were associated with lower DBP values.