The Study
Effects of different exercise training modalities on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in adults with hypertension: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
This study looked at lots of different exercise experiments done on people with high blood pressure and combined all the results to see what works best. It can tell us that some types of exercise, like walking or cycling, probably help lower blood pressure, but it can't say for sure which one is the absolute best.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
This study looked at many kinds of exercise to see which ones really lower blood pressure during daily life, not just at the doctor's office.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 565 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1A 5 mm Hg drop in blood pressure can reduce heart attack and stroke risk by about 10%, so these exercise effects are meaningful for health.
- 2Aerobic exercise lowered blood pressure by about 4-5 mm Hg; combined training (aerobic + strength) lowered it by 6 mm Hg; HIIT lowered it by 5-6 mm Hg; pilates lowered diastolic by 4 mm Hg.
- 3Strength and isometric training didn't show clear benefits.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Year
2026
Authors
V. Mallmann Schneider, Patrícia Klarmann Ziegelmann, Dalva Muniz Pereira, Rodrigo Ferrari
Related Content
Claims (6)
In adults with high blood pressure, combined training lowers 24-hour systolic blood pressure by 6.2 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 3.9 mm Hg, making it one of the most effective forms of exercise for controlling ambulatory blood pressure.
In adults with hypertension, high-intensity interval training lowers 24-hour systolic blood pressure by 5.7 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 4.6 mm Hg, with effects similar to those of aerobic training.
In adults with high blood pressure, resistance training and isometric exercise do not lower blood pressure measured continuously over 24 hours outside of a clinical setting.
In adults with high blood pressure, regular aerobic exercise lowers average 24-hour systolic blood pressure by 4.7 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.8 mm Hg.
In adults with high blood pressure, practicing Pilates lowers diastolic blood pressure over 24 hours by 4.2 mm Hg.
Aerobic exercise lowers systolic blood pressure by about 4.5 mm Hg, and isometric exercise lowers systolic blood pressure by about 8 mm Hg.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.