Brisk Walking Exercise Has Benefits of Lowering Blood  Pressure in Hypertension Sufferers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rehmaita  Malem; Ristiani  Ristiani; Muhibbullah  Ali Puteh

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i4.15554

Rehmaita Malem Department of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Technology and Health, Bina Bangsa Getsempena University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Ristiani Ristiani Department of Midwifery, Nusantara Midwifery Academy 2000, Jakarta, Indonesia
Muhibbullah Ali Puteh Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cut Nyak, University of Science Dhien Langsa, Langsa, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i4.15554

Keywords: Blood pressure; Brisk walking exercise; Cardiovascular; Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Brisk walking exercise is an aerobic exercise with the moderate intensity that can reduce the risk in people with hypertension. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of interventions related to brisk walking and blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients.

Methods: Search strategy through the PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases limited from 2018 to 2023. The components measured are systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. This study uses the Black and Downs checklist to measure the quality of the study, which consists of 3, namely high quality, medium quality, and low quality. Effect size analysis of the study used the standard mean difference between brisk walking exercise and not doing brisk walking exercise.

Results: The results of the identification of the database obtained 1700 articles, then limited by title, year, abstract (n = 381), and full-text article feasibility (n = 76) to obtain nine articles included. Nine articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis by study quality: six studies of high quality, 2 of medium quality, and 1 of low quality. Systolic blood pressure had a substantial effect size in all studies (P<0.05; SMD: -0.55) while diastolic blood pressure had an effect medium size (P=0.05; SMD: 0.13).

Conclusion: Brisk walking exercise can significantly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension—recommendations for the future to carry out community-based physical activity in improving physical health, including heart health.