Resistance exercise lowers blood pressure and improves vascular endothelial function in individuals with elevated blood pressure or stage-1 hypertension
Nile F. Banks, Emily M. Rogers, Anna E. Stanhewicz, Kara M. Whitaker, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins
Abstract
This is among the first studies to investigate the effects of chronic resistance exercise training on blood pressure (BP) and putative BP regulating mechanisms in middle-aged and older adults with untreated elevated BP or stage-1 hypertension in a randomized, nonexercise-controlled trial. Nine weeks of resistance exercise training elicits 4- to 8-mmHg improvements in systolic and diastolic BP alongside improvements in vascular endothelial function and total peripheral resistance without influencing central arterial stiffness or cardiovagal function.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineBlood pressureInternal medicineBaroreflexCardiologyPulse wave velocityArterial stiffnessVascular resistancePulse pressureDiastoleHeart ratePeripheralEndocrinologyHeart Rate Variability and Autonomic ControlBlood Pressure and Hypertension StudiesCardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention