Stretching vs Walking for High Blood Pressure

Overseen By John Ko, M.Sc.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan

Disqualifiers: Smoking, Pregnancy, High physical activity, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

96 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Traditionally, one of the ways to treat or prevent high blood pressure is to prescribe aerobic exercise training (i.e. brisk walking). Stretching may also be effective because it may cause changes in blood vessel stiffness and therefore reduce resistance to blood flow. The study will assess a group of individuals (i.e. 96) participating in a supervised stretching or walking program five days per week for six months to determine whether stretching is superior for reducing blood pressure. This research will contribute to recommendations about the most effective exercise programs for reducing blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not require you to stop taking your current blood pressure medication as long as your dose has been stable for 6 months and your target blood pressure has not been achieved.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Stretching exercise, Flexibility exercise, Stretching routine, Yoga, Walking exercise, Brisk Walking, Aerobic Exercise Training for high blood pressure?

Research shows that stretching exercises can be more effective than brisk walking in reducing blood pressure in people with high-normal blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension. Additionally, flexibility training combined with other exercises has been shown to lower blood pressure in older women. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is stretching or walking safe for people with high blood pressure?

Stretching and walking are generally safe activities for people, including those with high blood pressure. Studies show that these exercises can cause small, temporary changes in heart rate and blood pressure, but these changes are not significant enough to cause concern for most people. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

How does the treatment of stretching and walking exercises differ from other treatments for high blood pressure?

Stretching exercises, unlike traditional aerobic exercises like brisk walking, have been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure by improving flexibility and vascular health. This makes stretching a unique and potentially beneficial option for managing high blood pressure, especially for those who may not be able to engage in more intense physical activities. ^{1 3 5 8 9}

Research Team

Philip Chilibeck, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Saskatchewan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with high blood pressure who can walk unaided and safely perform exercises. They should have a systolic BP of 130-159 mmHg or diastolic BP of 85-99 mmHg, not be on unstable blood pressure meds, non-smokers, not already active in moderate to vigorous exercise for 150 minutes weekly or involved in flexibility programs.

Inclusion Criteria

Can safely perform exercises as determined by the Get Active Questionnaire

Your blood pressure is between 130/85 and 159/99.

I can walk by myself for 30 minutes without help.

Exclusion Criteria

You smoke cigarettes.

I've been on the same blood pressure medication for 6 months, but my blood pressure is still high.

Pregnant or lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in either a supervised stretching or walking program five days per week

6 months

Regular visits for supervision and assessment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in blood pressure and vascular function post-intervention

3 months

Assessments pre- and post-intervention and three months later

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Stretching exercise
• Walking exercise

Trial Overview The study compares the effects of stretching versus walking exercises on lowering blood pressure over six months. Participants will engage in either a supervised stretching or walking program five days per week to see if stretching offers better outcomes than traditional brisk walking.

Participant Groups

Group I: Walking Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Walking

Group II: Stretching Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Stretching

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Saskatchewan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

261

Recruited

156,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 40 participants with high-normal blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension, an 8-week stretching program was found to be more effective than brisk walking in reducing blood pressure levels.

The stretching program led to significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, indicating it may be a beneficial alternative exercise for managing hypertension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stretching is Superior to Brisk Walking for Reducing Blood Pressure in People With High-Normal Blood Pressure or Stage I Hypertension. Ko, J., Deprez, D., Shaw, K., et al.[2023]

A 14-week study involving 141 physically inactive women aged 60-70 showed that multicomponent training combined with flexibility training significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to control groups.

Improvements in body alignment and flexibility were observed alongside the blood pressure reductions, indicating that these training methods can positively influence overall physical health in older women.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fourteen weeks of multicomponent training associated with flexibility training modifies postural alignment, joint range of motion and modulates blood pressure in physically inactive older women: a randomized clinical trial. Sobrinho, ACS., Benjamim, CJR., Luciano de Almeida, M., et al.[2023]

A clinical trial found that stretching exercises are more effective than brisk walking for lowering blood pressure in individuals with high-normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension.

The study highlights the importance of exercise type in managing blood pressure, suggesting that stretching could be a beneficial alternative for those looking to improve their cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Erratum: Ko et al. (2021). [2023]

Static stretching combined with nonvibration foam rolling (SS + FR) is suggested as a better warm-up protocol for older women with prehypertension, as it helps maintain blood pressure levels compared to other warm-up methods.

While static stretching with vibration foam rolling (SS + VFR) improved shoulder flexibility, aerobic endurance, and arm strength, it negatively affected balance, indicating a trade-off in performance outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effects of Static Stretching Combined with Vibration and Nonvibration Foam Rolling on the Cardiovascular Responses and Functional Fitness of Older Women with Prehypertension. Chen, CH., Hsu, CH., Chu, LP., et al.[2022]

A six-month daily stretching program for hypertensive patients showed high compliance (over 90%) and significant improvement in flexibility, indicating that stretching is an easy and sustainable exercise for this population.

Despite the high compliance and improvements in flexibility, the study did not find significant positive effects on blood pressure or arteriosclerosis indices, suggesting that while stretching is beneficial for flexibility, its impact on hypertension may be limited.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Compliance of Static Stretching and the Effect on Blood Pressure and Arteriosclerosis Index in Hypertensive Patients. Yamada, E., Sakai, S., Uchiyama, M., et al.[2023]

In a study of 119 senior athletes, different stretching techniques (PNF, SLR, and SR) resulted in small to moderate increases in heart rate and blood pressure during stretching, but these levels returned to baseline within 2 minutes after stretching.

The passive straight-leg raise (SLR) caused smaller increases in blood pressure compared to PNF and SR, while PNF resulted in lower heart rate responses than SR, indicating that stretching is generally safe and does not pose significant cardiovascular risks for senior athletes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Three Types of Hamstrings Stretching in Senior Athletes. Feland, B., Hopkins, AC., Behm, DG.[2022]

A 12-week study involving hypertensive postmenopausal women showed that both yoga and stretching classes significantly improved diastolic blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation, which are important indicators of cardiovascular health.

Incorporating respiratory techniques into yoga or stretching further enhanced these benefits, leading to greater reductions in resting heart rate and improvements in oxidative stress markers, suggesting a more effective approach to managing hypertension in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Additional Improvement of Respiratory Technique on Vascular Function in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women Following Yoga or Stretching Video Classes: The YOGINI Study. Fetter, C., Marques, JR., de Souza, LA., et al.[2020]

A study involving 48 healthy sedentary participants showed that combining walking with isometric handgrip exercise for 6 weeks significantly reduced resting blood pressure more than either exercise alone or a control group.

The simultaneous training (walking and handgrip) resulted in greater reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure, suggesting that this combined approach may enhance cardiovascular benefits compared to traditional training methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reductions in Resting Blood Pressure in Young Adults When Isometric Exercise Is Performed Whilst Walking. Baross, AW., Hodgson, DA., Padfield, SL., et al.[2020]

In a study of 32 mild hypertensive men who walked an average of 13,510 steps per day for 12 weeks, significant reductions in blood pressure were observed, lowering systolic blood pressure from 149.3 to 139.1 mmHg and diastolic from 98.5 to 90.1 mmHg.

Walking 10,000 steps or more daily also decreased sympathetic nerve activity and improved exercise capacity, as indicated by a significant increase in maximal oxygen intake (VO2max) from 26.1 to 29.5 ml/kg/min, demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of regular walking in hypertensive patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Walking 10,000 steps/day or more reduces blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in mild essential hypertension. Iwane, M., Arita, M., Tomimoto, S., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stretching is Superior to Brisk Walking for Reducing Blood Pressure in People With High-Normal Blood Pressure or Stage I Hypertension. [2023]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fourteen weeks of multicomponent training associated with flexibility training modifies postural alignment, joint range of motion and modulates blood pressure in physically inactive older women: a randomized clinical trial. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Erratum: Ko et al. (2021). [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effects of Static Stretching Combined with Vibration and Nonvibration Foam Rolling on the Cardiovascular Responses and Functional Fitness of Older Women with Prehypertension. [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Compliance of Static Stretching and the Effect on Blood Pressure and Arteriosclerosis Index in Hypertensive Patients. [2023]

6. Turkey pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Three Types of Hamstrings Stretching in Senior Athletes. [2022]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Additional Improvement of Respiratory Technique on Vascular Function in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women Following Yoga or Stretching Video Classes: The YOGINI Study. [2020]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reductions in Resting Blood Pressure in Young Adults When Isometric Exercise Is Performed Whilst Walking. [2020]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Walking 10,000 steps/day or more reduces blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in mild essential hypertension. [2022]