2013 | Veronique A. Cornelissen, PhD; Neil A. Smart, PhD
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examined the effects of endurance, dynamic resistance, combined, and isometric resistance training on resting blood pressure (BP) in adults. The study included 93 trials with 5223 participants, showing that endurance training reduced systolic BP (SBP) by -3.5 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) by -2.5 mm Hg. Dynamic resistance training reduced SBP by -1.8 mm Hg and DBP by -3.2 mm Hg. Isometric resistance training reduced SBP by -10.9 mm Hg and DBP by -6.2 mm Hg. Combined training had no significant effect on SBP but reduced DBP by -2.2 mm Hg. The largest reductions in SBP were observed in hypertensive participants after endurance training (-8.3 mm Hg) compared to prehypertensive (-2.1 mm Hg) and normal BP (-0.75 mm Hg) groups. Dynamic resistance training showed the greatest SBP reduction in prehypertensive participants (-4.0 mm Hg).
Subgroup analyses revealed that male participants had greater BP reductions than females, and shorter program durations (<24 weeks) led to greater reductions. Lower intensity training had smaller effects, while 30-45 minute sessions showed larger reductions in SBP and DBP. Isometric resistance training had the largest SBP reductions, though few studies were available. The study found no significant differences between endurance and dynamic resistance training, but endurance training was more effective in hypertensive individuals.
Publication bias was not detected, and results remained significant over time. The study highlights that endurance, dynamic resistance, and isometric training reduce SBP and DBP, with isometric training showing the largest SBP reductions. However, the small number of isometric studies limits conclusions. The findings suggest that endurance training may be preferable for hypertensive individuals, while dynamic resistance training is effective for prehypertensive and normal BP groups. The study underscores the importance of exercise in BP management and the need for further research to confirm these findings.A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examined the effects of endurance, dynamic resistance, combined, and isometric resistance training on resting blood pressure (BP) in adults. The study included 93 trials with 5223 participants, showing that endurance training reduced systolic BP (SBP) by -3.5 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) by -2.5 mm Hg. Dynamic resistance training reduced SBP by -1.8 mm Hg and DBP by -3.2 mm Hg. Isometric resistance training reduced SBP by -10.9 mm Hg and DBP by -6.2 mm Hg. Combined training had no significant effect on SBP but reduced DBP by -2.2 mm Hg. The largest reductions in SBP were observed in hypertensive participants after endurance training (-8.3 mm Hg) compared to prehypertensive (-2.1 mm Hg) and normal BP (-0.75 mm Hg) groups. Dynamic resistance training showed the greatest SBP reduction in prehypertensive participants (-4.0 mm Hg).
Subgroup analyses revealed that male participants had greater BP reductions than females, and shorter program durations (<24 weeks) led to greater reductions. Lower intensity training had smaller effects, while 30-45 minute sessions showed larger reductions in SBP and DBP. Isometric resistance training had the largest SBP reductions, though few studies were available. The study found no significant differences between endurance and dynamic resistance training, but endurance training was more effective in hypertensive individuals.
Publication bias was not detected, and results remained significant over time. The study highlights that endurance, dynamic resistance, and isometric training reduce SBP and DBP, with isometric training showing the largest SBP reductions. However, the small number of isometric studies limits conclusions. The findings suggest that endurance training may be preferable for hypertensive individuals, while dynamic resistance training is effective for prehypertensive and normal BP groups. The study underscores the importance of exercise in BP management and the need for further research to confirm these findings.