Weight
Training Lowers Blood Pressure Blood pressure increases
dramatically during upper body exercises, such as bench presses, twisting a
stubborn cap off a jam jar, or shoveling snow. Weight training can
substantially reduce the blood pressure response to the exercise and provide
many healthy benefits to the heart. Though the reductions in blood pressure
from weight training are small, they might lower the risk of stroke and heart
disease. Dr. Barry Franklin. president, American College of Sports Medicine,
stated that weight training is effective for improving many medical
conditions, reducing the risk of heart disease, and enhancing psychological
well being. And while weight training is safe for most people, it should be
avoided in those with unpredictable chest pain, out-of-control blood pressure,
uncontrolled irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and severe heart valve
disease.
Reuters Health, Feb. 17, 2000
Reuters Health