Optimal type of physical activity for lowering blood pressure

The British Journal of Sports Medicine published a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to identify the optimal type of exercise for lowering blood pressure.

Traditionally, dynamic exercise has been the first type of exercise recommended. However, research suggests that other types of exercise, such as isometric or interval exercise, may also be beneficial. Isometric, static exercise is the work of muscles without changing their length and with joints immobilized and performed in a static position.

The meta-analysis included data from 270 randomized trials, 15,827 participants.

It was shown that the decrease in AD after aerobic exercise averaged -4.49/-2.53 mmHg, dynamic resistance training -4.55/-3.04 mmHg, combined exercise -6.04/-2.54 mmHg, High-intensity interval training -4.08/-2.50 mmHg, and isometric training -8.24/-4.00 mmHg.

The rating of the effectiveness of different types of training for lowering CAD was 98.3% for isometric training, 75.7% for combined training, 46.1% for dynamic resistance training, 40.5% for aerobic exercise, and 39.4% for high-intensity interval training.