Exercise significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (WMD -6.74 mmHg; 95% CI -9.08, -4.41; p=0.000), diastolic blood pressure, and aortic pulse wave velocity in postmenopausal women.
Meta-Analysis (n=729)
Do different exercise modalities reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women?
Aerobic and resistance exercises significantly improve blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women, whereas mind-body exercises do not show obvious benefits.
Effect estimate: WMD -6.74 mmHg (95% CI -9.08, -4.41)
p-value: p=0.000
The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of different exercises on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in postmenopausal women. We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases, up to July 2022. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected following the inclusion criteria. We assessed study quality with the PEDro scale. The Stata software was used for statistical analysis. Twenty-three papers (26 RCTs) and 729 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise decreased SBP (WMD = -6.74 mmHg, 95%CI: -9.08, -4.41, p = 0.000), DBP (WMD = -4.13 mmHg, 95%CI: -5.78, -2.48, p = 0.000) and aortic PWV (WMD = -0.79 m/s, 95%CI: -1.02, -0.56, p = 0.000). Aerobic exercise can significantly decrease SBP (WMD = -7.97 mmHg, 95%CI: -12.99, -2.60, p = 0.003) and DBP (WMD = -5.97 mmHg, 95%CI: -8.55, -3.39, p = 0.000). Resistance exercise can significantly decrease SBP (WMD = -5.62 mmHg, 95%CI: -9.00, -2.23, p = 0.001), DBP (WMD = -1.87 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.75, -0.99, p = 0.000) and aortic PWV (WMD = -0.67 m/s，95%CI: -0.98, -0.36, p = 0.000). Combined aerobic and resistance exercise can significantly decrease SBP (WMD = -5.42 mmHg, 95%CI: -10.17, -0.68, p = 0.025). The efficacy of mind-body exercise (Tai Chi/Yoga) on SBP, DBP, and aortic PWV were not obvious (p > 0.05). Exercise significantly improved SBP, DBP, and aortic PWV in postmenopausal women. Aerobic exercise decreased SBP and DBP. Resistance exercise decreased SBP, DBP, and aortic PWV. Additionally, further research is required to confirm the efficacy of mind-body exercise (Tai Chi/Yoga) on blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
Zhou et al. (Thu,) conducted a meta-analysis in Postmenopausal women (n=729). Exercise (aerobic, resistance, combined, mind-body) vs. Control was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD -6.74 mmHg, 95% CI -9.08, -4.41, p=0.000). Exercise significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (WMD -6.74 mmHg; 95% CI -9.08, -4.41; p=0.000), diastolic blood pressure, and aortic pulse wave velocity in postmenopausal women.