Summarizes results from a series of investigations of relationships between high-risk adolescents' interpersonal strivings, social expectations, emotional distress, blood pressure responses to stressors, and elevations in blood pressure during regular school days. Surveys and blood pressure readings indicated that cognitive expectancies and goals…

Describes effective methods for identifying and recruiting high risk African American ninth-grade girls to measure their fitness and assess the impact of fitness training on blood pressure. A multistage step test for fitness assessment in such girls is presented. The "Project Heart" aerobics class and control groups are described. (SM)