Can Strength Training Help Manage High Blood Pressure?
People with high blood pressure or hypertension are at risk for certain long-term complications. Early intervention can lower blood pressure and reduce someone’s risk for complications. Researchers are still working to understand the best options for lifestyle modifications to improve blood pressure. One area of interest is how strength training plays a role in lowering blood pressure.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that strength training can effectively reduce blood pressure levels. Researchers noted that strength training appears most effective when it involves training at least twice a week with moderate to vigorous intensity over at least two months.
Using strength training to manage hypertension: Researchers in this systematic review and meta-analysis looked at several studies to examine the impact of strength training on high blood pressure levels. They found studies through several databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and World Health Organization. Their research included fourteen randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. In total, the review and analysis included 253 individuals with hypertension. The average age of participants was just under sixty years old.
Excerpted from Medical News Today
