The Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness, Hand Grip Strength, Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity in Adolescents with Primary Hypertension

Purpose: This study was aim to investigate the associations between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and hand grip strength, as well as the relationships between weekday and weekend sitting time and physical activity levels on adolescent patients with primary hypertension.

Method: The study included 35 stable outpatients aged 10-19 years with primary hypertension. Demographic characteristics, physical and clinical conditions were recorded. Anthropometric measurements was taken. Hand grip strength assessed using a hand dynamometer, arterial stiffness measurement using a Holter-Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (ABPM). Physical activity barriers were assessed using the Physical Activity Barriers Scale, and physical activity level with the Child Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-C). Physical inactivity and inactivity levels were recorded.

Results: No significant relationship was found between dominant hand grip strength percentage and PWV values. A weak to moderate positive correlation was observed between dominant hand grip strength and PWV (r=0.423, p=0.022). A weak to moderate positive correlation was found between PWV and physical activity levels, and average weekly sitting and screen time (r=0.375, p=0.045, r=0.397, p=0.033, respectively). No significant relationship was found between PWV values and the Physical Activity Barriers Scale (p>0.05).

Conclusion: There is a moderate to weak relationship between handgrip strength, physical inactivity and sedentary behavior and PWV. There is no significant relationship between physical activity barriers and PWV. Future interventions should prioritize strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior to improve arterial health and overall cardiovascular outcomes in adolescents with hypertension.

Key Words: Primary Hypertension, Adolescence, Physical Activity, Sedantary Behaviour, Physical Activity Barriers