Influence of recreational badminton playing on blood pressure and cognitive function in the elderly: a cross-sectional analysis with playing time-stratified sampling

Abstract

Habitual exercise may be the key to success for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline in the ageing population. The aim of this study is to investigate whether playing badminton at different time durations will elicit changes in blood pressure indices and working memory (the measure of cognitive function). Ninety-eight elderly recreational badminton players (>55 years old) are screened. 36 eligible players are later stratified into high-playing time (n=18; 9.72 ± 2.16 hours·week-1) and low-playing time (n=18; 3.34 ± 1.53 hours·week-1) badminton groups. Non-racquet sports playing control subjects are also recruited. Blood pressure was measured using an automated sphygmomanometer, while working memory was measured using Sternberg working memory task. The results indicate that systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure are significantly lower (p<0.01; p<0.05) in the high-playing time group (122 ± 9.68 mmHg; 94.1 ± 6.4 mmHg) compared to the control group (129 ± 9.42 mmHg; 98.6 ± 6 mmHg), respectively. No differences in diastolic blood pressure are observed (p>0.05). The mean arterial pressure also tends to be lower in the low-playing time group compared to the control group (p = 0.85). No differences are found between the resting blood parameters of the high-playing time group and the low-playing time group. No significant differences are present in the accuracy and reaction time of the Sternberg working memory task for all three groups (p>0.05). Overall, the present study found that the elderly in the high weekly badminton playing group have a better blood pressure profile than the non-badminton playing group. No differences are detected in the working memory of all three groups (high-playing time, low-playing time and control subject groups).