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 duration, and treatment outcomes.