It showed aerobic training gave “consistent reductions” in blood pressure, measured over a 24-hour period.
“Importantly, this study provides the first evidence that combined training and HIIT are effective in reducing 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring,” the authors wrote.
They said, however, that the evidence for the effect of yoga, Pilates and recreational sports on blood pressure remained “limited and imprecise” as they called for more work to assess the impact of these forms of exercise.
“Overall, aerobic exercise, combined training and high-intensity interval training show the most consistent signals of benefit based on current data,” the authors wrote.
Commenting on the study, Regina Giblin, the senior cardiac nurse at British Heart Foundation, said: “Regular exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to a third, with aerobic activity, such as a brisk walk, remaining particularly effective at lowering blood pressure.
“This research linking combined exercise and high-intensity interval training to significant reductions in blood pressure over 24 hours is encouraging and reinforces the important role physical activity plays in managing high blood pressure.
“While these findings are promising, more research is needed to better understand how different types of exercise compare.
“It is recommended that you do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, and the most important thing is finding an activity you enjoy and can stick to.”