Abstract

To describe the handgrip strength, lifestyle patterns (i.e., physical activity), and body composition of Chilean adult divers of different blood pressure status. Secondly, to associate body fat (BF), fat˗free mass (FFM), and bone mineral content (BMC) with blood pressure. A cross-sectional study was conducted in adult divers men. Participants were categorized into; hypertensive (HTN, n = 41), high blood pressure (HBP, n = 19), or normotensive (NT, n = 35). Primary outcomes were blood pressure, Total and segmental BF %, FFM, and BMC assessed by dual-X absorptiometry. Secondary outcomes comprised handgrip strength (HGSav), repetitions in Ruffier test and physical activity. Total and segmental BF % were consistently higher in HTN compared with HBP and NT divers, particularly in total BF (+ 2.8%), arms (BFA+2.8%), right arm (BFRA +1.4 to + 3.2%), left arm (BFLA +1.6 to + 2.5%), and trunk (BFT +3.4%; all P ≤ 0.05). Age (β = 0.4, [95%CI] 0.1; 0.6, P = 0.0004) and total BF % (β = 1.0, [95%CI] 0.1; 0.6, P = 0.0004) were significant predictors of SBP in Chilean divers. Total fat-free mass (FFM) does not significantly predict SBP or DBP. Total BMC shows a significant association with SBP (β = − 0.007, [95%CI] − 0.01; 0.0002, P = 0.050). Hypertensive Chilean divers show a linear trend to decrease HGSav, low cardiovascular fitness, and higher BF than NT peers. There was a significant association between Total BF and Total BMC parameters with both SBP, where segmentally FFM of legs and left leg was associated with both SBP and DBP.