Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Physical fitness can combat hypertension | FitPro news

High fitness levels among individuals can negate a family history of hypertension (high blood pressure), according to two pieces of new research.

This conclusion is reached by the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) Research Institute and the Journal of Hypertension, which found that people with high fitness levels and a family history of hypertension had 34% less chance of developing the condition compared with those who had low fitness levels and a family history of hypertension.

David Stalker, CEO of the ?FIA, said: ?The FIA?s own Research Institute at the University of Greenwich has recently completed a pilot study examining the effect of fitness centre based physical activity counselling and exercise upon cardiovascular health and psychological well-being measures. The pilot found a significant decrease in blood pressure in participants over a 12-week period, and we are now looking to roll out a similar study nationwide.

?High blood pressure is a risk factor for a number of life-threatening conditions, such as stroke and heart disease, so the potential benefits to the health of the nation and our health service of getting more people more active more often are huge.?

During the FIA?s Research Institute pilot, participants either received physical activity counselling, access to fitness centre facilities or a structured exercise programme. Blood pressure was collected due to its role as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease associations with poor cardiovascular health. It was found that the average participant decreased their blood pressure from 133/79 to 128/77.

Those following a structured exercise programme combining aerobic exercise and resistance training were more successful than those training freely or not attending the fitness facility, decreasing systolic blood pressure by 4.5% and diastolic by 4.4%.

World Hypertension Day on 17May aims to highlight the dangers of hypertension. According to the Africa Health Organisation 7 million people die and 1.5 billion suffer every year because of hypertension.

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