Type A personality components and the blood pressure response to dynamic exercise

One hundred and eleven healthy male subjects underwent cycle ergometry testing and completed a Jenkins type A personality survey. The subjects were divided into three equal groups with respect to their distribution on the Jenkins scales. The groups were compared for heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), the ratio of SBP/HR, and V̇O₂ max/kg during rest and at exercise. Repeated measures MANOVA indicated that high scoring type A had lower HR values during exercise with no differences in SBP. However, the SBP/HR ratio was higher in the high type A group. The same was true for the component of hard-driving and competitiveness. Those scoring highest in this component also had higher V̇O₂ max/kg body weight. From the description it could be conjectured that those with higher scores on type A components push themselves harder and thus achieve improvement in fitness. No clear explanation exists for the relative differences in SBP response.