Effects of walking in individuals with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension in India: a randomised controlled trial

Background/Aims Physical activity, such as walking, is a cheap approach with a low risk of injury that can be used in daily life. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low impact aerobic exercise training on resting blood pressure in patients with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension specifically for people in India. Methods A total of 63 sedentary adults with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension participated in the study. All sedentary adults were randomly allocated to either the study group (aerobic training) (n=30) or the control group (n=33). Those in the study group walked for 30 minutes, three times a week for 8 weeks at an intensity of 60-75% of their target heart rate. The control group received no training but followed their usual prescribed medication and diet. The primary outcomes of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured at the end of every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes of pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse rate were calculated. Results Significant changes in various outcome measures in the study group were noted (systolic blood pressure=7.30 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.14 to 3.00; P=0.001); diastolic blood pressure=6.50 mmHg (95% CI 1.23 to 4.04; pulse pressure=0.000; mean arterial pressure=6.77 mmHg (95% CI 1.46 to 3.84; P=0.000) and pulse rate=6.90 bpm (95% CI 1.73 to 3.43; P=0.000) when compared with those in the control group, who had non-significant changes. Conclusions The findings of the present study concluded that aerobic exercise training improves blood pressure.