Effects of short-term (ST), medium-term (MT) and long-term (LT) RET on resting blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and resting heart rate
| Outcome | Number of studies | Number of participants | Mean difference (95% CI) | P values | Heterogeneity | ||
| RET | CON | ||||||
| Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | ST | 4 | 59 | 57 | −3.17 (–6.95 to 0.60) † | 0.10 | χ²=5.76, I²=48%, p=0.12 |
| MT | 46 | 742 | 714 | −4.02 (–5.92 to –2.11) † | <0.0001* | χ²=325.48, I²=86%, p<0.00001 | |
| LT | 8 | 188 | 178 | −5.08 (–10.04 to –0.13) † | 0.04* | χ²=19.46, I²=64%, p=0.007 | |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | ST | 4 | 59 | 57 | −0.72 (–3.66 to 2.22)† | 0.63 | χ²=8.1, I²=63%, p=0.04 |
| MT | 45 | 721 | 697 | −1.73 (–2.88 to –0.57) † | 0.003* | χ²=263.07, I²=83%, p<0.00001 | |
| LT | 7 | 177 | 169 | −4.93 (–8.58 to –1.28)† | 0.008* | χ²=22.07, I²=73%, p=0.001 | |
| Mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) | ST | 3 | 35 | 32 | −3.31 (–6.86 to 0.25)† | 0.07 | χ²=6.61, I²=70%, p=0.04 |
| MT | 10 | 136 | 132 | −1.57 (–4.60 to 1.46)† | 0.31 | χ²=97.16, I²=91%, p<0.00001 | |
| Resting heart rate (bpm) | ST | 2 | 16 | 14 | −2.66 (–7.55 to 2.23)† | 0.70 | χ²=6.95, I²=86%, p=0.008 |
| MT | 35 | 510 | 467 | 0.35 (–1.44 to 2.13) | 0.69 | χ²=266.11, I²=87%, p<0.00001 | |
| LT | 5 | 74 | 68 | −0.48 (–3.12 to 2.17)† | 0.72 | χ²=6.83, I²=41%, p=0.15 | |
*Indicates statistical significance.
†Indicates favouring RET.
CON, control group; LT, long term; MT, medium term; RET, resistance exercise training; ST, short term.