Aerobic Exercise and Resting Blood Pressure in Older Adults: a Meta-analytic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: It is well established that resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) increases as one ages. This study used the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of aerobic exercise for reducing resting SBP and DBP in older adults.

Methods: Study data were compiled through use of the following: (i) computer searches (MEDLINE, Current Contents, and Sport Discus), (ii) cross-referencing from bibliographies of retrieved studies and review articles, and (iii) an expert who reviewed our reference list. Inclusion criteria and sources for this study were (i) randomized trials, (ii) aerobic activity as the only exercise intervention, (iii) a nonexercise control group, (iv) an assessment of changes in resting SBP and/or DBP, (v) within-study ages of subjects > or = 50 years, (vi) English-language studies published in journals, and (vii) studies published between January 1966 and January 1998. Net changes in resting BP were calculated as the exercise minus control group difference.

Results: Fourteen primary outcomes were derived from seven studies. Decreases of approximately 2% and 1% were found for resting SBP and DBP, with only changes in SBP as statistically significant (SBP, mean +/- SD = -2 +/- 3 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -4 to -1 mm Hg; DBP, mean +/- SD = -1 +/- 2 mm Hg, 95% CI = -2 to 0 mm Hg).

Conclusions: This study supports the efficacy of aerobic exercise for reducing resting SBP in older adults. However, a need exists for studies that address the effectiveness of this intervention for reducing resting BP in older adults.