Interventions with aerobic exercise v interventions without aerobic exercise for reducing blood pressure*

OutcomesParticipant groupNumber of trialsWeighted mean difference (95% CI)†
*BMI = baseline body mass index. CI defined in glossary.†All differences favour aerobic exercise.
Systolic bloodOverall53-3.84 (-4.97 to -2.72)
pressure (mm Hg)Hypertensive15-4.94 (-7.17 to -2.70)
Normotensive27-4.04 (-5.32 to -2.75)
BMI (kg/m2)< 24.511-3.90 (-6.82 to -0.97)
24.5 to 26.412-4.54 (-7.19 to -1.89)
>26.412-2.17 (-3.30 to -1.03)
Diastolic bloodOverall50-2.58 (-3.35 to -1.81)
pressure (mm Hg)Hypertensive13-3.73 (-5.69 to -1.77)
Normotensive26-2.33 (-3.14 to -1.51)
BMI (kg/m2)< 24.511-2.38 (-3.69 to -1.06)
24.5 to 26.49-3.62 (-6.45 to -0.76)
>26.412-1.75 (-2.31 to -1.18)