Effectiveness of combined exercise training for hypertension management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Combined aerobic and resistance exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by a mean difference of 8.26 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 5.87 mmHg compared to control in adults with hypertension.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: Hypertension (n=547). Intervention: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise vs. Control group. Primary outcome: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD -8.26 mmHg, 95% CI -13.92 to -2.61, p=<0.05).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Combined aerobic and resistance training serves as an effective complementary intervention to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Chaimaa Chourite; Hanane Belmouss; Mohammed Fedouache; Ismail Challal; Mohammed Zaguiri; Mustapha Mouilly

doi:10.11604/pamj.2026.53.111.48696

January 1, 2026Open Access

Effectiveness of combined exercise training for hypertension management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

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Key result

Combined aerobic and resistance exercise lowers SBP by ~8 mmHg vs control in hypertension.

MD -8.26 mmHg
95% CI -13.92 to -2.61
P<0.05
n=547

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Why the study?

Hypertension is a leading global health issue with poor control despite pharmacological treatments, making combined exercise a promising non-pharmacological strategy.

Does combined aerobic and resistance exercise reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension?

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=547)

Structured PICO

Does combined aerobic and resistance exercise reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension?

P

Population

547 adults with stage 1 or 2 hypertension across 12 randomized controlled trials evaluating combined exercise interventions lasting 4 to 16 weeks.

I

Intervention

Combined aerobic and resistance exercise training for at least 4 weeks (range 4-16 weeks, typically 2-3 sessions per week, 40-60 min per session).

C

Comparator

Control group (no combined exercise).

O

Outcome

Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) post-intervention.surrogate

Main Result

Mean Difference: -8.26 (95% CI -13.92–-2.61)

p-value: p=<0.05

Combined aerobic and resistance exercise training provides clinically meaningful reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension.

Limitations

Small sample sizes in many trials, reducing statistical power and generalizability
Heterogeneity in training protocols (duration, sequence, intensity) complicates direct comparisons
Short duration of interventions (≤12 weeks) limits understanding of long-term adherence and sustainability
Few studies reported on participant adherence and adverse events
Missing data preventing pooling of all 12 studies (only 5 included in meta-analysis)
Moderate heterogeneity in SBP analysis
Limited number of studies reporting MAP

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Implication

Supports combined aerobic-resistance exercise as adjunctive therapy in hypertension; extends RCT evidence with quantified BP reductions in meta-analysis.

Abstract

Introduction: hypertension is a leading global health issue with poor control despite pharmacological treatments. Combined exercise is a promising non-pharmacological strategy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined aerobic and resistance training in reducing blood pressure (BP) among adults with hypertension. Methods: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving hypertensive adults undergoing combined exercise (CE) interventions. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Conclusion: our findings suggest that combined exercise may serve as an effective complementary intervention to reduce both SBP and DBP in adults with hypertension.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Chourite et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Hypertension (n=547). Combined aerobic and resistance exercise vs. Control group was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD -8.26 mmHg, 95% CI -13.92 to -2.61, p=<0.05). Combined aerobic and resistance exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by a mean difference of 8.26 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 5.87 mmHg compared to control in adults with hypertension.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a5b39118167787360d24f41 https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.111.48696

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Effectiveness of combined exercise training for hypertension management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Figures

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Effectiveness of combined exercise training for hypertension management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Figures

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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