Abstract
Background and Study Aim. Sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases later in life. Identifying the potential benefits of physical activity for the cardiovascular health of children is crucial for developing effective strategies to promote healthy habits and prevent future health problems. Purpose of the article is to investigate the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular function in 9-year-old schoolchildren, taking into account the gender.
Materials and Methods. The study participants were 27 students of the 3rd grade (10 boys, 17 girls) of secondary school № 58 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. All children were healthy and were under the supervision of a medical worker. Consent was obtained from both the school administration and the parents of the children. The functional state of the cardiovascular system of children was determined by the indices of the Robinson index and the Ruffier index. To calculate these indicators, we measured heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) at rest and after exercise (30 squats in 45 seconds).
Results. There were no significant differences between boys and girls in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate at rest and recovery after exercise. The average level of reserves and efficiency of the cardiovascular system was revealed. A higher than average level of the response of the cardiovascular system to standard physical activity was revealed.
Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that the functional capabilities of the cardiovascular system of 9-year-old students are generally at an average level and that there are no significant differences between boys and girls in terms of heart rate, blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. These findings could be useful for developing physical education programs for children and for identifying children who may require additional cardiovascular health monitoring or interventions.