Aerobic exercise and normotensive adults: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Using the meta-analytic approach, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on resting systolic (SYS) and diastolic (DIA) blood pressure in normotensive adults: The results of 35 human clinical training studies published in English-language journals between 1963 and 1992 and representing 1,076 subjects (800 exercise, 276 control) met criteria for inclusion. Across all categories and designs, statistically significant post-exercise reductions were found for both SYS and DIA blood pressure (mean +/- SD, SYS: -4.4 +/- 6.6 mm Hg, 95% CI, -6.2 to -2.6 mm Hg; DIA: -3.2 +/- 3.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, -4.0 to -2.2 mm Hg). When partitioned according to type of study: 1) (randomized controlled trials (RCT), 2) controlled trials (CT), and 3) no controls (NC), the following changes were noted: RCT, SYS: -4.5 +/- 7.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, -7.1 to -1.2 mm Hg; DIA: -3.8 +/- 2.9 mm Hg, 95% CI, -5.0 to -2.6 mm Hg; CT, SYS: -2.8 +/- 6.9 mm Hg, 95% CI, -10.0 to 4.4 mm Hg; DIA: -5.0 +/- 3.7 mm Hg, 95% CI, -8.9 to -1.1 mm Hg; NC, SYS: -4.7 +/- 6.1 mm Hg, 95% CI, -7.5 to 1.9 mm Hg; DIA: -1.7 +/- 3.0 mm Hg, 95% CI, -3.2 to -0.36 mm Hg. We concluded that aerobic exercise results in small reductions in resting SYS and DIA blood pressure among normotensive adults.