Comparing the impact of combined and aerobic exercise on blood pressure in women with prehypertension: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the effectiveness of combined exercise over aerobic exercise alone in lowering blood pressure (BP) remains limited. This study compared the effectiveness of combined aerobic plus resistance training versus aerobic training alone, with both interventions matched for exercise duration. METHODS: ). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar across groups, except for heart rate. Both groups showed significant reductions in SBP and DBP after the intervention ([C: SBP decreased by -7.4±2.2, P=0.00; DBP decreased by -5.1±2.4, P=0.00] [CT: SBP decreased by -6.1±2.1, P<0.01, and DBP decreased by -6.9±2.0, P<0.01]). The reduction in SBP was more pronounced in the C than in the CT (P=0.04), while the reduction in DBP was greater in the CT group (P=0.04). An improvement in the outcome variable is caused by the "group" or "time" effect but not by the effect of "group × time." CONCLUSIONS: Adding resistance training to aerobic exercise enhances the reduction in diastolic blood pressure compared to aerobic exercise alone in prehypertension middle-aged women.