Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure

PURPOSE: Physical activity has been associated with reduced blood pressure in observational epidemiologic studies and individual clinical trials. This meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure. DATA SOURCES: English-language articles published before September 2001. STUDY SELECTION: 54 randomized, controlled trials (2419 participants) whose intervention and control groups differed only in aerobic exercise. DATA EXTRACTION: Using a standardized protocol and data extraction form, three of the investigators independently abstracted data on study design, sample size, participant characteristics, type of intervention, follow-up…