It is the force of blood pressing against the arteries. It is expressed as systolic over diastolic (120/80 mmHg). Normal blood pressure facilitates blood circulation appropriately when one is working.
Endurance performance is better when blood pressure remains stable as it allows for oxygen and nutrients delivery in the muscles. During exercise, the systolic pressure should increase slightly. With time, individuals who exercise aerobically have reduced blood pressure when they rest, which indicates that the heart is not working as hard. Abnormal blood pressure, either too low or too high, impacts performance and indicates potential health issues. Blood pressure screening assists athletes in monitoring body condition and detecting issues such as dehydration or overtraining. With training athletes, the knowledge of blood pressure trends assists in recovery and maintains the health of the heart.
