Background and Objectives: Assessment of Cardiovascular sympathetic activity in obese and Normal young adults by recording Heart rate and blood pressure. The study was done to assess the effect of isometric Leg press exercise test on Heart rate Blood pressure (SBP & DBP) levels in obese and normal young adults. Methods: The study was carried out on 80 medical students with in age group of 1822 years, divided in to two groups, 40 Obese (BMI >25kg/m2) and 40 Normal healthy adults (BMI 18.522.5kg/ m2). Baseline ECG was taken for 5 minutes in lead II using power lab multichannel polygraph instrument to record Heart rate in both the groups. Baseline Blood pressure was recorded in both of them. They were asked to perform isometric leg press exercise at 40% of their maximal voluntary contraction using Back leg lift dynamometer till the point of fatigue. Immediately after exercise test Heart rate and Blood pressure were measured to compare the response. Results: Baseline recording showed statistically significant higher Heart rate and Blood pressure level in obese group when compared to normal group (p<0.05). There was significant difference in Heart rate and BP between the two groups. The response to exercise test varied among the groups. The normal group showed significant rise in Heart rate and blood pressure (p<0.05) than obese group. Conclusion: From this study we conclude that, there is a positive association between obesity and blood pressure level. There is autonomicdys function with increased sympathetic activity, which is an important determinant of elevated blood pressure in obesity. Also higher value of resting heart rate in obese individuals is due to attenuated parasympathetic vagal tone in them. Sympathetic system could be targeted in the treatment of obesity associated hypertension.

Keywords: Obesity; Isometric Leg Press Exercise Test; Blood Pressure.