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Exercise helped lower the top blood pressure number, but the effect was small. Results varied widely between studies, suggesting different exercise types or intensities may work differently for different people. The benefit was meaningful but modest.

Exercise helped lower the bottom blood pressure number more than the top number. The effect was moderate and meaningful. However, results varied greatly across studies, likely reflecting differences in exercise type, intensity, duration, and individual characteristics. Some people may benefit more than others.

These findings align with previous reviews showing that exercise helps lower blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. A 2014 review found similar benefits for both aerobic and resistance exercise. The cardiovascular benefits of exercise in type 2 diabetes have been reported in other analyses as well.

This review differs from some earlier ones in the amount of variation seen between studies. The authors noted clear differences in where studies were done, how they measured results, and what types of exercise were tested. Previous reviews in people without diabetes also found exercise benefits for blood pressure, showing the effect extends beyond just people with diabetes.

Confidence is rated as moderate because the studies were well-designed and included over 1,000 people. However, results varied widely between studies, making it hard to predict how much benefit someone might get. The review also found signs that negative results may not have been published. While exercise appears helpful, the size of the benefit is unclear.

Exercise appears to help lower blood pressure in adults with diabetes, with the bottom number showing more improvement than the top number.

The benefit was seen across multiple studies, though the size of improvement varied widely.

Results are not consistent, suggesting benefits may depend on exercise type, intensity, and individual factors.

Exercise appears to help with blood pressure control in people with diabetes and may be a useful option for managing cardiovascular risk.

Any type of regular, structured exercise seems beneficial, whether aerobic, strength training, or both combined.

The wide variation between studies makes it difficult to know what type or amount of exercise works best, or how much benefit to expect.

The bottom blood pressure number appears to respond better to exercise than the top number in people with diabetes.

The review looked at different types of exercise including walking, jogging, cycling, and strength training. Some studies tested aerobic exercise only, some tested strength training only, and others tested a combination of both. Programs were supervised and structured, lasting from 3 to 12 months.

Control groups received different comparisons including dietary advice, standard diabetes care, or light stretching. Most participants continued their usual diabetes medications during the studies. The review did not provide specific details on how often or how intensely to exercise, though studies generally used moderate-intensity programs done multiple times per week.

Exercise therapy, aerobic exercise, resistance training, physical activity intervention, structured exercise program, combined aerobic and resistance training

Adekunle H, Balogun O. Exercise Intervention for Blood Pressure Reduction in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2026;18(2):e104244. doi:10.7759/cureus.104244

Exercise helped lower both top and bottom blood pressure numbers compared to control groups. The effect was small for the top number and moderate for the bottom number. Both improvements were meaningful based on statistical analysis.

However, results varied greatly between studies. This variation suggests that factors like exercise type, intensity, individual characteristics, and follow-up length may affect how much benefit someone gets. Despite this variation, the review concluded that structured exercise programs appear helpful for blood pressure control in people with diabetes.

Results varied widely across different studies

Possible bias from unpublished negative results

Mostly studied people with type 2 diabetes

Exercise may help lower blood pressure in type 2 diabetes, but results vary between people.

Only six studies were included, which limits how much we can learn. Results varied greatly between studies, likely because they tested different types of exercise at different intensities. Some studies may be missing from the analysis if they showed no benefit. The effect on the top blood pressure number was very small. Most studies focused on type 2 diabetes, so results may not apply to type 1 diabetes. The studies tested different exercise types, making it unclear which approach works best.

Blood pressure (bottom number) → ↓ (moderate improvement)

Blood pressure (top number) → ↓ (small improvement)

Cornelissen VA, Smart NA. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013

Exercise training for blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Association between physical activity advice only or structured exercise training with blood pressure levels in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2025

Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Get Active! Physical Activity and Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers reviewed published studies from 2005 to 2023 looking for trials that tested exercise in people with diabetes. They searched two major databases and followed standard guidelines for conducting reviews. They focused on studies where participants were randomly assigned to either exercise or a comparison group.

Six studies met their criteria, including 1,112 total participants. Study sizes ranged from 29 to 606 people, with average ages between 53 and 62 years. The studies lasted between 12 weeks and 12 months. The researchers checked each study for quality and combined the results to see the overall effect of exercise on blood pressure.

Exercise may lower blood pressure in people with diabetes

This review looked at 6 studies with 1,112 adults with diabetes to see if exercise helps lower blood pressure. Most participants were between 53 and 62 years old and had type 2 diabetes.

The studies tested different types of exercise including walking, jogging, cycling, and strength training over 3 to 12 months. Overall, exercise helped lower both top and bottom blood pressure numbers. The effect was small for the top number and moderate for the bottom number.

However, results varied widely between studies. This suggests that benefits may depend on the type of exercise, how often you do it, and individual differences. Regular exercise appears to help with blood pressure in people with diabetes, but effects may not be the same for everyone.

Only six studies were analyzed, limiting confidence that these findings apply broadly to all people with diabetes.

Studies showing little or no benefit may not have been published, which could make exercise appear more helpful than it actually is.

Most research focused on type 2 diabetes, so results may not apply to type 1 or gestational diabetes.

Review of 6 studies with 1,112 adults with diabetes testing exercise over 3-12 months

Adults with type 2 diabetes who have high blood pressure, especially those aged 40 and older who can participate in structured exercise programs.

Adults with type 2 diabetes, particularly those with elevated blood pressure or hypertension. The evidence base includes adults aged 40 years and older with varying diabetes duration (5-30 years) who were taking oral diabetes medications. Most applicable to individuals capable of participating in structured exercise programs including aerobic exercise, resistance training, or combined exercise interventions.

This review looked at 6 studies with 1,112 adults with diabetes to see if exercise helps lower blood pressure. Most participants were between 53 and 62 years old and had type 2 diabetes.
The studies tested different types of exercise including walking, jogging, cycling, and strength training over 3 to 12 months. Overall, exercise helped lower both top and bottom blood pressure numbers. The effect was small for the top number and moderate for the bottom number.
However, results varied widely between studies. This suggests that benefits may depend on the type of exercise, how often you do it, and individual differences. Regular exercise appears to help with blood pressure in people with diabetes, but effects may not be the same for everyone.

Exercise may lower blood pressure in people with diabetes

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