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The efficacy of stretching exercises on arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults: a meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials

Meta-analysis of eight controlled trials (213 middle-aged and older adults) found muscle stretching reduced arterial stiffness and resting diastolic blood pressure (−2.72 mmHg) and resting heart rate (−0.95 bpm) versus non-exercise controls, with a favourable standardized effect on endothelial function.

Design

  • Included: 8 trials, 213 participants (middle-aged / older)
  • Intervention: stretching vs non-exercise controls (RCTs + non-randomized trials allowed)
  • Model: random-effects MD / SMD pooling

Pooled signals (abstract)

  • Arterial stiffness: SMD −1.00 (95% CI −1.57 to −0.44; p = 0.0004)
  • Endothelial function: SMD +1.15 (95% CI 0.26 to 2.03; p = 0.01)
  • DBP: MD −2.72 mmHg (95% CI −4.01 to −1.43; p < 0.0001)
  • Resting HR: MD −0.95 bpm (95% CI −1.67 to −0.23; p = 0.009)

Evidence hygiene

Includes non-RCT designs—sensitivity analyses with RCT-only subsets appear in the paper; pair with acute crossover BP work (PMID 39869856) on stretching-training.

Publication

Kato M, et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Aug 5;17(16):E5649. PMID 32764418.

Outcomes

  • Arterial Stiffness
    % (Percent Change)
  • Diastolic Blood Pressure
    -2.72
    mmHg (Millimetres of Mercury)
  • Resting Heart Rate
    -0.95
    bpm (Beats Per Minute)
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