Independent and Combined Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Training on Blood Pressure

Independent and Combined Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Training on Blood Pressure

We compared the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise only, resistance exercise only, or a combination of both on blood pressure in overweight or obese middle-aged adults with elevated blood pressure. Participants engaged in supervised exercise sessions 3 times per week for 60 minutes each session. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. Extra-intervention physical activity and diet were also assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 120-159/80-99 mm Hg
• Non-smoking
• Overweight or obese, with a body mass index of 25-40 kg/m2
• Inactive--not meeting the aerobic or resistance physical activity guidelines, which means engaging in less than 150 minutes/wk of moderate intensity aerobic exercise and less than 2 days per week of resistance training over the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable coronary heart disease or decompensated heart failure
• Severe pulmonary hypertension or aortic stenosis
• Acute myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis, or aortic dissection
• Other medical condition that is life-threatening or that can interfere or be aggravated by the exercise training such as cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, severe pain or mobility limitations.
• Premenopausal women or postmenopausal women taking hormonal replacement therapy
• Pregnant women or anticipated pregnancy via IVF or other medical procedures during the course of the intervention