The effects of exercise training on hypertensive older adults: an umbrella meta-analysis

Exercise training has been shown to blunt many of the physiological declines and common diseases of the aging process. One such beneficial effect is the reduction of blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive older adults. However, there is no consensus about which benefits of aerobic (AT) or resistance training (RT) may be lost by the use of combined training (CT) or even what benefits could be acquired only by performing CT, considering the extensive health needs of older adults with hypertension. Thus, we performed an umbrella meta-analysis. The benefits conferred by CT are extensive and encompass cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and blood lipid profile improvements. CT may be recommended to improve the extensive health needs of hypertensive older adults that go beyond blood pressure reduction.

Automated summary

Exercise training has been shown to be crucial for the health of older adults, not only reducing blood pressure, but also improving cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and blood lipid profiles. Combined training may be recommended for hypertensive older adults to address their extensive health needs beyond just lowering blood pressure.