This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1559827609344807v1 3/6/446    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Goodwin, K. A. Articles by Pescatello, L. S. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Exercise Prescription for the Prevention and Management of Hypertension

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kgoodwin{at}spfldcol.edu.

	Abstract

Regular physical activity is known to reduce blood pressure in 75% of individuals with hypertension and is a key component of lifestyle therapy for the prevention and management of hypertension. However, the frequency, intensity, duration, and mode of activity play a role in the magnitude and duration of blood pressure reduction. Aerobic activity is the preferred type of activity to lower blood pressure. Acute, moderate-intensity aerobic activity (40%-60% VO_2max) can decrease blood pressure by 5 to 7 mm Hg for up to 22 hours postexercise, so participation in aerobic activity is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week. The recommended duration for aerobic activity is 30 to 60 minutes of continuous or intermittent activity. Resistance activity results in a 3-mm Hg decrease in blood pressure and should supplement the aerobic activity. Low- to moderate-intensity resistance training (30%-40% of a 1–repetition maximum [1RM] for upper body exercises and 50%-60% 1RM for lower body exercises) is recommended 2 to 3 d/wk. The volume of resistance training for blood pressure reduction is 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions for 8 to 10 exercises that target large muscle groups (thighs, hips, back, chest, arms, and abdominals). When prescribing physical activity for the prevention or management of hypertension, it is important to know that certain populations respond differently to activity and that certain medications can inhibit physical performance.

First published on September 11, 2009, doi:10.1177/1559827609344807

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2009;3:446.

A more recent version of this article appeared on November 1, 2009


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?