Grant: Project Grant

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). In a small study of 35 participants with moderate elevated blood pressure, we showed an exercise program that involves stretching may be superior to aerobic training for reducing blood pressure. We are excited about this finding because, if stretching is more effective, it would change the way we prescribe exercise to people with elevated blood pressure. Our proposed study will now assess a larger group of individuals (i.e. 96) participating in a supervised stretching or walking program five days per week for six months to determine for certain 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.