Do different types of exercise training improve blood pressure and lipid profiles in older adults with hypertension?
Isometric handgrip training may offer superior blood pressure reduction in older hypertensive adults compared to traditional exercise modalities, while aerobic and combined training provide additional benefits for lipid profiles.
Decreased physical activity and high blood pressure are both risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Controlling blood pressure within the normal range can prevent or delay these complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed the effects of different types of exercise training on the blood pressure and lipid profiles of older adults patients with hypertension. Five electronic databases (Web of Science, Cochrane, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus) were searched from their inception until March 03, 2024. English publications and randomized controlled trials involving different types of exercise training treatments for hypertensive populations were included. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model to estimate weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95 % confidence intervals. The systematic search identified 1998 articles, of which 92 studies met the inclusion criteria and were deemed eligible for inclusion. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that reduced systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) after aerobic training (p < 0.01), resistance training (p < 0.01), combined (aerobic + resistance) exercise training (p < 0.01) and isometric handgrip training (p < 0.01). Significant reductions were also observed in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels following combined (aerobic + resistance) exercise training (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), and resistance training (p < 0.01), respectively. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were increased following aerobic training (p < 0.01), and combined (aerobic + resistance) exercise training (p < 0.01), but not after resistance and Tai chi training. Isometric handgrip training leads to greater reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive patients compared to the effects of aerobic, resistance, combined aerobic and resistance exercise, and tai chi training. Additional studies are needed to determine the exercise prescription protocols to maximize the health of older adults patients with hypertension.
Hejazi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.