[Effects of soccer/football practice on cardiovascular risk factors among young adults from Kinshasa].

Objective: This study determined the effects of regular practice of Soccer/Football on some cardiovascular risk factors among young adults: anthropometry and components of blood pressure.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional survey comprised a random sample of 100 young adults and regularly playing soccer/Football in Stadium of Martyrs and municipal areas of Matete and Lemba, Kinshasa city, DRC. Their weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure (> or =60 mmHg: preclinic atherosclerosis or arterial stiffness), mass index and respiratory frequency were compared with those of 100 inactive youngs randomly selected from Universities of Kinshasa and Simon Kimbangu, Kinshasa, DRC.

Results: There was no cases of general obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m²) and arterial hypertension in both groups. Both groups had similar (P>0.05) values of anthropometric parameters and diastolic blood pressure. Active players of soccer/Football had lower values of systolic blood pressure (111+/-10 mmHg; p<0.001), pulse pressure (37+/-10 mmHg; p<0.0001) and abdominal obesity (NCEP) (17%; p<0.05) in comparison with those inactive students (systolic blood pressure of 137+/-10 mmHg, pulse pressure of 43+/-10 mmHg, and abdominal obesity 23%).

Conclusion: Soccer/Football-related physical activity may prevent abdominal obesity, systolic arterial hypertension, and preclinical atherosclerosis/arterial stiffness in young adults from Kinshasa.