2013 | Veronique A. Cornelissen, PhD; Neil A. Smart, PhD
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effects of different types of exercise training on resting blood pressure (BP) in adults. The study included 93 randomized controlled trials involving 5223 participants, with data reported as weighted means and 95% confidence intervals. The analysis found that endurance, dynamic resistance, and isometric resistance training significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), while combined training only reduced DBP. Isometric resistance training showed the largest reductions in SBP. The effects were more pronounced in hypertensive subjects compared to prehypertensive and normotensive individuals. Subgroup analyses suggested that male participants and those with shorter exercise programs had greater BP reductions. The study also found no significant differences in BP responses between endurance and dynamic resistance training, but endurance training might be more effective for hypertensive individuals. The findings have implications for exercise prescription and delivery for BP management.This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effects of different types of exercise training on resting blood pressure (BP) in adults. The study included 93 randomized controlled trials involving 5223 participants, with data reported as weighted means and 95% confidence intervals. The analysis found that endurance, dynamic resistance, and isometric resistance training significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), while combined training only reduced DBP. Isometric resistance training showed the largest reductions in SBP. The effects were more pronounced in hypertensive subjects compared to prehypertensive and normotensive individuals. Subgroup analyses suggested that male participants and those with shorter exercise programs had greater BP reductions. The study also found no significant differences in BP responses between endurance and dynamic resistance training, but endurance training might be more effective for hypertensive individuals. The findings have implications for exercise prescription and delivery for BP management.