Research
Mixed
Moderate intensity endurance training (50% maximal exercise tolerance) is effective for reducing blood pressure, with high-intensity training providing no additional significant benefit.
To lower blood pressure, focus on moderate-intensity endurance exercise (around 50% of your max capacity). You do not need to train at high intensities to get the full blood pressure benefits, which makes this accessible and sustainable for many people.
StrongQualifiesVERY_HIGH confidence
The Consensus Committee concluded that there is Category A evidence from RCTs to support the effectiveness of moderate intensity (50% of maximal exercise tolerance) endurance training in reducing blood pressure... Training at high-intensity level seems to provide no additional benefits
Why this rating
Based on Category A evidence (rich body of RCT data).
Source
Dose-response issues concerning physical activity and health: an evidence-based symposium
Y. Antero Kesäniemi et al. · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2001
DOI 10.1097/00005768-200106001-00003
narrative_reviewCited 840×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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