Ever since the first set of hypertension recommendations which were generated from the Canadian hypertension education program, lifestyle and health behaviour have been a key focus. An initial recommendation focused on the benefits of aerobic exercise to reduce resting blood pressure (BP). However, until the 2013 edition, resistance exercise (RT) was not included. The current article describes a meta-analysis that was conducted which helped inform the creation of the newly introduced recommendation. Literature searches were conducted in 4 electronic databases. Inclusion criteria included: (1) randomized controlled trials with 4-week minimum, RT-alone intervention arms; (2) BP-lowering as the primary outcome; (3) human, adult participants; and (4) reporting control data, baseline, and postintervention resting systolic BP and diastolic BP. Nine studies (11 intervention groups, 452 participants) were identified. The analyses indicated that diastolic BP was significantly reduced (-2.2 mmHg; 95% confidence interval -3.9 to -0.5) in those randomized to RT compared with control participants. In contrast, no statistically significant change in systolic BP (-1.0 mmHg; 95% confidence interval -3.4 to 1.4) was observed. None of the studies found RT to increase BP and no adverse effects of RT were explicitly reported. Results suggest that participation in RT is not harmful and does not increase BP. However, more evidence is needed before recommending RT as a specific BP-lowering therapy.

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