Parameters of blood pressure during stress test in young elite athletes

It is known that in children at rest, BP values depend on height, but this aspect is not taken into account when analyzing the maximum BP during exercise. Objective: to determine the maximum value of BP in young elite athletes, depending on height and gender. Materials and methods: 2313 (age 15.5 ± 1.4 years, 45% of young men) young elite athletes, members of national teams of the Russian Federation in 40 sports, were examined. All subjects underwent bicycle ergometry according to the PWC170 protocol, blood pressure was measured manually at each stage of the load, and its maximum values were determined during the entire test. Results: The maximum BP values in boys were higher than in girls: systolic blood pressure (SBP) 195 ± 25 vs 175 ± 20 mmHg, p < 0.001, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 80 ± 11 vs 80 ± 10 mm Hg, p < 0.05. A relationship was found between the maximum value of blood pressure on load and growth ( r = 0.55; p < 0.001). Normative tables are proposed for assessing the maximum values of SBP and load, depending on growth. Conclusion: In young elite athletes, the maximum BP value during VEM according to the PWC170 protocol depends not only on gender, but also on height. The maximum values of SBP during exercise in tall young elite athletes can reach 250 mm Hg in boys and 210 mm Hg in girls.