Relation between leisure-time physical activity and blood pressure in older women.

Abstract

Although there is some evidence that physical activity may decrease blood pressure in young and middle-aged women, the physical activity-blood pressure association in older women has rarely been studied. Although physical activity was associated with lower fasting and 2-hour postchallenge insulin levels (p<0.01 for trend), adjustment for insulin levels did not alter blood pressure differences among activity groups. We conclude that habitual physical activity in older women is associated with clinically important lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and that this benefit is independent of physical activity-related changes in obesity and plasma insulin. (Circulation 1991;83:559-565) T here is good evidence that physical activity at work or during leisure time may reduce rates of cardiovascular disease. '-6 In addition to the benefits of physical activity to lipid and lipoprotein levels,78 physical activity may protect against these diseases in part through effects on blood pressure.9-13 Studies have often compared blood pressure before with that after short-term physical activity training regimens in normotensive or hypertensive men.9 10'12,13 Although these studies generally show that strenuous physical activity training can modestly reduce systolic *All editorial decisions for this article, including selection of reviewers and the final decision, were made by a guest editor. This procedure applies to all manuscripts with authors from the University of California San Diego or

A comparison of dietary and non-dietary factors of hypertension and normal blood pressure in a Chinese population

“…36 Several population studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between leisure time physical activity and BP levels. [37][38][39] The present survey indicated no relationships between both occupational and leisure time physical activity and BP levels. Commuting physical activity was inversely associated with BP levels in men and is very important to urban Chinese.…”

Association between Perceived Built Environment and Prevalent Hypertension among South African Adults

“…Therefore, individuals living in neighborhoods with high street connectivity are more likely to meet recommended levels of walking. In addition, it has been suggested that walking "physical activity" of light-to-moderate intensity may be a particularly effective method of lowering blood pressure in older adults [35]. Perceived quality aesthetics in our study was associated with lowering hypertension.…”

Postexercise decrease in arterial blood pressure, total peripheral resistance and in circulatory responses to brief hyperoxia in subjects with mild essential hypertension

“…Regular, dynamic, aerobic physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of hypertension 1,2 A significant inverse relationship between regular physical activity and blood pressure (BP) has been reported, 3 although some data did not confirm favourable effects of exercise in essential hypertension. 4,5 In recent years, there has been considerable interest in circulatory after-effects of single physical exercise.…”