According to a recent study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, stretching would be more beneficial than walking to fight against hypertension.
Low blood pressure: brisk walking or stretching?
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) have indicated that stretching was more effective in lowering blood pressure in high blood pressure than brisk walking. The 40 participants, aged 60 years on average, suffered from high blood pressure, or stage 1 hypertension (systolic pressure between 140-159 mmHg and / or diastolic blood pressure> 90-99 mmHg). The scientists compared the data collected during the two activities performed: one of the two groups did 30 min of stretching 5 days a week while the other did a brisk walk at the same weekly frequency. The pressure was taken while sitting and lying down for more than 24 hours.
Stretching, a component that lowers blood pressure
After 8 weeks, the researchers concluded that stretching lowered blood pressure more significantly than brisk walking, although the weight loss was less. ” Everyone thinks that stretching is just stretching the muscles. But when you stretch your muscles, you also stretch all the blood vessels that supply the muscle, including all the arteries. If you reduce the stiffness of your arteries, there is less resistance to the blood flow Says Dr. Phil Chilibeck, co-author of the study and professor of kinesiology. The more blood circulation is blocked, the higher the blood pressure and cardiovascular risks. Dr Chilibeck advises, for those who practice walking, to add stretching sessions. Alternating these two activities would make it possible to fight against hypertension, because they are two complementary practices.
