Effects of exercise on resting blood pressure in obese children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Summary The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of exercise interventions on the resting blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) of obese children. A computerized search was made of seven databases using keywords. Effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and the heterogeneity of the studies was estimated using Cochran's Q‐statistic applied to the effect size means. Nine randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were selected for review as satisfying the inclusion criteria (n = 205 exercise, 205 control). The main cumulative evidence indicates that the exercise programmes with a frequency of three sessions weekly lasting longer than 60 min had a moderate effect on systolic blood pressure (ES = −0.46, I2 = 27%), and programmes of under 12 weeks with more than three sessions weekly were beneficial in terms of reduction of diastolic blood pressure (ES = −0.35, I2 = 78%).