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Assessment of an Educational Intervention on Blood Pressure Knowledge and Risk Factor Practices in Collegiate Football Athletes
Author(s) -
Armstrong Sarah,
Jackson Loreto,
Sharp Julia,
Cason Katherine,
HaleyZitlin Vivian
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.lb333
Subject(s) - football , athletes , blood pressure , medicine , physical therapy , population , risk factor , test (biology) , blood test , environmental health , paleontology , political science , law , biology
Hypertension is a serious health problem affecting approximately one‐third of the adult population in the US. While athletes work to maintain high levels of fitness, they too, are affected by this disease. American–style football is the most popular sport in which adolescents within the US participate. This translates into many individuals pursuing collegiate football activities. Few studies have examined blood pressure and football relationships. However, an increase in blood pressure was observed within the first season of playing football, with a diagnosis of hypertension in >10% of individuals assessed. Interestingly, some training‐related behaviors associated with athletes’ regimens to enhance performance such as intense resistance training, a relative lack of aerobic exercise, and weight gain have been suggested to play a role in professional football players’ diagnoses of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, as well as premature CVD‐related mortality. Lifestyle choices have been identified that increase the risk for hypertension. Education of college‐age athletes regarding these risk factors has the potential to result in better blood pressure control. Sixty‐six college‐aged football athletes were queried on blood pressure knowledge and diagnostic criteria along with selected dietary habits and training activities via a pre‐test. An educational intervention in the form of a Fact Sheet was delivered via paper copy (most preferred method) and e‐mail per the preferences expressed by the athletes. A post‐test was delivered to assess changes in knowledge of hypertension and change in hypertension‐related dietary practices. Pretest results indicated variability in the knowledge of the collegiate football athletes regarding hypertension and a need for educational intervention. The pretest and post‐test results will provide evidence of the effectiveness of the intervention. Support or Funding Information NA