THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON BLOOD PRESSURE REDUCTION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Piotr Przybyszewski; Emilia  Przybyszewska; Agnieszka  Filarecka; Weronika Winiarska; Aleksandra  Siegmund; Marzena  Chrapczyńska; Julia  Gatniejewska; Martyna  Sienicka; Paulina  Prudzic; Wiktoria  Bełcikowska-Skowron

doi:10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5916

Authors

Piotr Przybyszewski Dr. Tytus Chałubiński District Hospital in Zakopane, Zakopane, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3658-494X
Emilia Przybyszewska "AVO-DENTAL" Dentistry & Aesthetic Medicine in Zakopane, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4393-1967
Agnieszka Filarecka Tytus Chałubiński District Hospital in Zakopane, ul. Kamieniec 10, Zakopane, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4200-7635
Weronika Winiarska University Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital in Zakopane, Zakopane, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2731-615X
Aleksandra Siegmund Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Silesia, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6162-6096
Marzena Chrapczyńska Maria Skłodowska-Curie Provincial Specialist Hospital in Zgierz, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3876-292X
Julia Gatniejewska Provincial Hospital in Poznan, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1463-7497
Martyna Sienicka Independent Researcher, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8164-6236
Paulina Prudzic Independent Researcher, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8746-8540
Wiktoria Bełcikowska-Skowron Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Radom Specialist Hospital, ul. Lekarska 4, 26-610 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1789-1845

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5916

Keywords:

Hypertension, Blood Pressure, Exercise

Abstract

Background: Physical exercise is an important non-pharmacological strategy for reducing blood pressure (BP) and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Methods: This narrative review analyzed evidence from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the effects of different exercise modalities on BP reduction.

Results: Aerobic, resistance, isometric, combined training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) all demonstrated significant antihypertensive effects. Aerobic exercise improved vascular function, resistance training enhanced functional capacity, and isometric exercise showed particularly strong reductions in systolic BP. Greater BP reductions were observed in hypertensive and resistant hypertensive populations.

Conclusion: Regular physical exercise effectively reduces BP and should be considered a key component of hypertension prevention and management. Individualized and sustained exercise interventions may provide substantial cardiovascular benefits.

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