| Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects | | | | And both groups demonstrated a significant |
| almost 1 of every 3 people in the US. It is | | | | reduction with the high intensity group having the |
| associated with many chronic disabling health | | | | largest reduction in pressure. |
| conditions such as kidney failure, stoke, ED in | | | | Another study at Texas A&M University looked |
| men, diabetes, heart failure, and many others. | | | | at the effects that riding a stationary bike had on |
| Unfortunately, many of those who are | | | | blood pressure. They also found that this lowered |
| hypertensive aren't even aware that they have it. | | | | blood pressure. Especially during the exercise. The |
| That's because it is rare that there are any | | | | participants in this study rode stationary bikes 3 |
| symptoms associated with it. There is no one | | | | times a week for 6 weeks. The intensity of the |
| cause of this condition, although lifestyle and diet | | | | exercise was increased at regular intervals. What |
| are closely linked to having high blood pressure. | | | | researchers found was that the highest drops in |
| For treatment doctors recommend avoiding foods | | | | blood pressure were seen in those with the blood |
| with high levels of salt, or sodium, in them and to | | | | pressure readings going into the study. |
| eat more fruits and vegetables. They also | | | | But it's not just with isometric and aerobic |
| prescribe an assortment of drugs that work to | | | | exercises, interval training also has a lowering |
| lower blood pressure to more normal levels. | | | | effect also. In fact, it was found in a study at |
| What many people don't know is how they can | | | | Liverpool John Moores University in England that |
| affect their hypertension by exercising. Medical | | | | interval training can lower blood pressure |
| research has found that several types of | | | | significantly almost immediately. |
| exercise can lower arterial pressure just as, or | | | | What these participants did was ride a stationary |
| more effectively than some medications. This | | | | bike for 10 minutes and then rest for 10 minutes. |
| generally happens for several reasons. | | | | They did this at 8 o'clock in the morning and then |
| But, generally, exercise causes your arteries to | | | | again at 2pm to see if there was a difference |
| dilate which, in turn, lowers blood pressure. If | | | | with the lowering effects of exercise. What they |
| these exercises are performed consistently over | | | | found was that interval exercises done in the |
| a period of time, the pressure tends to stay low | | | | afternoon had more of an effect on on it than in |
| and many people can actually stop taking their | | | | the morning. |
| medications. | | | | All of these studies suggest that along with |
| One of these studies done at Cantebury Christ | | | | traditional approaches to treating high blood |
| Church University in England looked at the effects | | | | pressure with medications, it may well be worth |
| that isometric exercises had on blood pressure. | | | | asking your doctor if you are healthy enough to |
| This study was divided into 2 groups. The first | | | | start participating in a regular exercise program to |
| group did low intensity isometrics, and the second | | | | help lower your pressure. And, for those who are |
| group did high intensity isometrics. | | | | interested in prevention of hypertension, adopting |
| Both groups did 4 reps of exercises for 2 | | | | a regular home exercise program might be on of |
| minutes in duration 3 times a week for 8 weeks. | | | | the better things to do. |