Performance
A · High confidenceWhich type of exercise lowers resting blood pressure the most
Subject: Exercise training and resting blood pressure: a large-scale pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
What this means
All five exercise types studied lowered resting blood pressure. Isometric training (holding a muscle contraction without moving, such as a wall squat) gave the largest drop.
Jamie J Edwards, Algis H P Deenmamode, Megan Griffiths, Oliver Arnold, Nicola J Cooper, Jonathan D Wiles, Jamie M O'Driscoll · 2023 · British Journal of Sports Medicine
What does this rating mean?
Multiple consistent meta-analyses or a position stand. Sufficient basis for a fixed choice in the coaching.
Findings
All exercise modalities significantly reduced resting blood pressure. Isometric exercise training ranked first by a wide margin, followed by combined training, with resistance training, aerobic training and HIIT closely grouped behind. Resistance training is a fully legitimate antihypertensive modality, and low-cost isometric work is the most effective single modality identified.
Who this applies to
270 RCTs, n=15,827 participants, 358 effect sizes; normotensive, pre-hypertensive and hypertensive adults
Size of the research
270 randomised controlled trials with 15 827 participants in total.
What to keep in mind
Training lasted at least 2 weeks. The abstract does not say who the participants were or how high their blood pressure was beforehand.
Practical conclusion for REZA
Resistance training is a fully legitimate tool against high blood pressure; for hypertensive clients, low-cost isometric work (e.g. wall squats) can be a valuable addition.
View method and source
Methodology
Meta-analysis
Intervention
Aerobic exercise training (AET), dynamic resistance training (RT), combined training (CT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and isometric exercise training (IET) vs. control, compared in a network meta-analysis
Outcome measures
Resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)
Limitations
Network meta-analysis relies on indirect comparisons where few head-to-head trials exist; the isometric-exercise evidence base is smaller and less robust than the top ranking suggests; pooled populations mix normotensive and hypertensive participants; long-term adherence and hard cardiovascular outcomes not assessed.
Original source
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106503 · PMID: 37491419
View on PubMed →This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.