Age- and BMI-related differences in blood pressure and functional fitness in elderly men: a large-scale population-based study

Background: This study examined the impact of age and body mass index (BMI) on blood pressure and functional fitness in elderly men. Methods: A total of 56,725 elderly men who participated in the Korean National Fitness Award program between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed. Researchers measured height, weight, and blood pressure indicators, including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Functional fitness was assessed through grip strength, the sit-and-reach test (flexibility), the chair stand test (lower limb strength), the 2-minute step test (aerobic endurance), the timed up-and-go test (balance), and the 8-foot up-and-go test (coordination). Results: Significant interaction effects between age and BMI groups were observed in SBP, DBP, and MAP, suggesting that both factors jointly influence blood pressure. Additionally, elderly men over 80 had significantly higher SBP and PP than those aged 65–69. Obese individuals also showed significantly higher blood pressure levels compared to underweight participants. For functional fitness, interactions between age and BMI were significant for flexibility, lower limb strength, balance, and coordination. Age had a strong effect on all fitness components, with men over 80 performing significantly worse than those aged 65–69 across all variables. BMI also influenced fitness levels; notably, Class 2 obese individuals had higher grip strength and relative grip strength than underweight peers, although obesity was generally associated with poorer performance in other areas. Conclusions: Both age and BMI have a significant influence on blood pressure and functional fitness in elderly men. These findings highlight the need for tailored exercise programs that consider an individual’s age and BMI to effectively maintain cardiovascular health and physical function. Future research should incorporate factors such as physical activity levels and dietary intake to better understand and manage health outcomes in elderly men.