The role of strength training in
treatment of hypertension
Both regular endurance and strength training
are important determinants of the treatment of
hypertension. Endurance training is recommended
as first-line antihypertensive lifestyle therapy based
on convincing evidence showing that it lowers BP at
average level of –5 to –7 mmHg among adults with
hypertension. Because of weaker evidence showing
that dynamic strength training reduces BP –2 to –3 mm
Hg among adults with hypertension, it is recommended
as adjuvant lifestyle therapy to endurance training.
However, latest meta-analysis shows that for nonwhite
adult samples with hypertension, dynamic strength
training elicits BP reductions that are comparable to or
greater than those reportedly achieved with endurance
training.
Therefore, strength training should be further
investigated as a viable stand-alone therapeutic
exercise option for adult populations with high BP.
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