Effectiveness of exercise protocols in adults with hypertension; uploated meta-analysis of clinical trials
Keywords:
high blood pressure, physical activity, hipertension, exercise, aerobic, anaerobic, HIITAbstract
Introduction and objective: Arterial hypertension (HTN) is one of the most frequent causes of mortality. Physical exercise represents a non-pharmacological strategy that can aid in its control.
Objective: To analyze the influence of different types of physical exercise programs on the regulation of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in adults with HTN.
Methodology: A meta-analysis was conducted by the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct were consulted. Clinical trials that evaluated before and after the implementation of an exercise program were considered. 307 articles were identified, including seven high-quality studies with 10 exercise protocols: three anaerobic strength training, four aerobics, and three high-intensity interval training. Results: Isometric training showed the largest effect sizes (SBP: Z=13.37; DBP: Z=9.78; p<0.01, respectively), followed by aquatic and land-based HIIT, while aerobic programs had the greatest overall effect. Conventional strength exercises showed favorable results with lesser significance.
Discussion: All exercise programs contributed to BP control; however, the magnitude of the effect was variable depending on the type of exercise protocol performed.
Conclusion: Handgrip isometric training is an unconventional exercise that stands out as the most efficient intervention for controlling blood pressure in adults with hypertension, highlighting its potential for implementation in cardiovascular disease control programs.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jared Cortes-Chacón, Gabriel Eduardo Magaña Chávez, Luis Alberto Flores Olivares, Omar Peña-Vázquez, Estefania Quintana-Mendias, Natanael Cervantes Hernandez, Liliana Aracely Enriquez-del Castillo
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