A Cross-Sectional Study for the Evaluation of Physical Fitness and Risk of Hypertension in Korean Adults Aged 20-59

Abstract Background: Intervention for hypertension in the young age group is very important. Men in their 30s and 40s in Korea are the main producers of economic activity. Stress in work life, frequent drinking, smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity are the biggest factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure. Methods: This study analyzes obesity-related body composition, physical strength, and risk according to age and sex, by analyzing population-based hypertension and physical strength trends in individuals aged 20–59 years in 360,321 Korean adults, using National Physical Award Project(NFAP) data points collected from 2012 to 2019. The functional fitness test battery for adults was composed of seven components: (a) aerobic endurance (2-min step); (b) upper body muscle strength (hand grip strength); (c) lower body muscle endurance (chair sit and stand); (d) flexibility (sit and reach); (e) cardio pulmonary endurance (Pacer); and (g) body compositions (BMI and Waist Circumference); and blood pressure were also recorded. Results: For all items, there was a significant difference in blood pressure according to physical strength level. In particular, in obesity-related BMI and WC, the higher the obesity, the higher the blood pressure (post-hoc, Obesity>Overweight>Normal>underweight). It was also confirmed that the lower the grade, that is, the weaker the grip, the higher the blood pressure (post-hoc, 4>3>2>1). Next, in identifying the risk factors for high blood pressure, the physical strength level differed by 1.02 times and the obesity-related indicator by 1.33 times. Finally, it was confirmed that the risk of high blood pressure in the age and gender of Model 3 increased by 1.388 times. Conclusions: This study investigated the relationship between blood pressure and physical strength in adults aged 20-59 based on NFAP. In addition to the recommendation for changes in blood pressure, significant differences in blood pressure according to physical strength were confirmed, and significant effects on blood pressure risk were confirmed in terms of age, obesity-related body composition, and physical strength.