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Can Dynamic Resistance Training Lower BP?

J Am Heart Assoc; ePub 2016 Sep 28; MacDonald, et al

Publish date:

Dynamic resistance training (RT) may lower blood pressure (BP) as much or more than aerobic exercise (AE), a recent study showed. In a meta-analysis of 64 controlled studies, a total of 2,344 middle-aged, overweight adult participants (57% white) with prehypertension were included; 15% were on antihypertensive medication. Researchers found:

  • Moderate-intensity dynamic RT was performed an average of 2.8±0.6 days/week for 14.4±7.9 weeks and in aggregate elicited small-to-moderate reductions in systolic BP and diastolic BP compared to controls.
  • Greater BP reductions were observed among samples with higher resting SBP/DBP: ∼6/5 mm Hg for hypertension, ∼3/3 mmHg for prehypertension, and ∼0/1 mmHg for normal BP.
  • Nonwhite samples with hypertension experienced BP reductions ∼twice the magnitude of those previously reported following AE training (-14.3 mmHg vs -10.3 mmHg).

Citation:

MacDonald HV, Johnson BT, Huedo-Medina TB, et al. Dynamic resistance training as stand-alone antihypertensive lifestyle therapy: A meta-analysis. [Published online ahead of print September 28, 2016]. J Am Heart Assoc. doi:10.1161/JAHA.116.003231.

Commentary:

This study adds to the literature showing an effect of lifestyle modification in the control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The decrease of 6/5 mmHg for SBP/DBP is important, and supports current recommendations for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic exercise, plus moderate-intensity dynamic RT on ≥2 days/week.1 Current guidelines suggest that lifestyle modification can be tried for 6 to 12 months and may be effective enough to make medication use unnecessary in some patients. Lifestyle modifications include weight loss, reduction of salt intake, exercise, elimination of excessive alcohol intake, and change to a DASH diet.2 —Neil Skolnik, MD

  1. Pescatello LS, MacDonald HV, Ash GI, Lamberti LM, Farquhar WB, Arena R, Johnson BT. Assessing the existing professional exercise recommendations for hypertension: a review and recommendations for future research priorities. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90:801–812.
  2. Weber MA, Schiffrin EL, White WB, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension in the community. A statement by the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension. J Clin Hypertens. 2014;16(1):14-26. doi:10.1111/jch.12237.

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