title: Impact of physical activity interventions on blood pressure in Brazilian populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality in the Brazilian population. Lifestyle changes, including physical activity, are important for lowering blood pressure levels and decreasing the costs associated with outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess the impact of physical activity interventions on blood pressure in Brazilian individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis and systematic review of studies published until May 2014, retrieved from several health sciences databases. Seven studies with 493 participants were included. The analysis included parallel studies of physical activity interventions in adult populations in Brazil with a description of blood pressure (mmHg) before and after the intervention in the control and intervention groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 390 retrieved studies, eight matched the proposed inclusion criteria for the systematic review and seven randomized clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. Physical activity interventions included aerobic and resistance exercises. There was a reduction of -10.09 (95% CI: -18.76 to -1.43 mmHg) in the systolic and -7.47 (95% CI: -11.30 to -3.63 mmHg) in the diastolic blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Available evidence on the effects of physical activity on blood pressure in the Brazilian population shows a homogeneous and significant effect at both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. However, the strength of the included studies was low and the methodological quality was also low and/or regular. Larger studies with more rigorous methodology are necessary to build robust evidence.
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Vivian Freitas Rezende
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Flávia Barbizan
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Albino
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Karen Fernandes de
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Gustavo Jorge
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Maftum
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Mauro de Castro dos"
authors.initials: Mde C
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Luiz César
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Guarita-Souza
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: José Rocha
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Faria Neto
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, BR.
authors.forename: Cristina Pellegrino
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Baena
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors