According to a new study, regular stretching exercises are more effective than walking in combating hypertension.
The Researchers found that 30 minutes of stretching on 5 days a week led to greater improvement in blood pressure than a 30-minute walk on 5 days a week.
They also stress that people should still do aerobic exercise as it has many health benefits.
As now in this pandemic, people spend more time at home so this research might come as a pleasant surprise that simple stretching exercises can help reduce blood pressure.
Most people think that stretching is all about stretching your muscles but it's just not that with stretching your blood vessels also stretch including your arteries which feed your muscle.
Not just in muscles but stretching can also reduce stiffness in arteries, thereby reducing resistance to blood flow and lowering blood pressure according to Dr Chilibeck.
Walking vs Stretching: Effect of each on blood pressure
As part of the study reduction in blood pressure was seen in both the groups – people who did stretching and people who did brisk walking. In comparison to walking, the stretching program resulted in a decrease in systolic and mean arterial blood pressure while sitting and diastolic and mean arterial pressure while in supine (lying), as has been mentioned in the study conducted at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
However, walking was associated with more significant reductions in participants waistlines.
So a combination of stretching and walking can give you positive effects on overall health.
One must always include exercises like walking, running, cycling or jogging as they can help weight loss, cholesterol reduction and blood sugar regulation.
Alon with blood pressure stretching is also beneficial for people with arthritis, body pain, neck pain and back pain.
The study appears in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Widespread Condition
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, undiagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney damage, eye problem and vascular dementia.
Doctors usually recommend aerobic exercise to reduce blood pressure, However, previous studies have suggested that stretching can lower blood pressure by reducing the stiffness of arteries and improving blood flow.
The stretching program comprised 21 stretching exercises perform each stretch twice and hold for 30 seconds with 15 seconds of rest between stretches.
Research suggests that yoga and pilates include a lot of stretching so performing these or doing these can also help you reduce blood pressure.
Stretches that you can do every day
Perform them carefully and breathing should be proper in the whole stretching period. Should be performed daily for proper results.
Flexibility will be gained with consistency.
Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.
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