CAN EXERGAMES LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE AND ENHANCE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61164/es1amh75Keywords:
Video Games, Blood Pressure, Physical Exercise, Cardiovascular DiseasesAbstract
Objective: To systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of exergames on blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted between January and June 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Searches in six databases (PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, VHL, ACM Digital Library, and Cochrane Library) initially yielded 575 studies, from which 10 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Results: The findings revealed that exergames are at least as effective as conventional physical exercise in managing hypertension. Significant reductions were reported in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, alongside improvements in other cardiovascular markers like heart rate and fitness. These benefits were observed across different ages, genders, and even in individuals with comorbidities. Conclusion: Exergames represent a viable, safe, and engaging non-pharmacological tool for managing and preventing hypertension, capable of complementing or even surpassing traditional exercise programs as a versatile strategy for improving cardiovascular health.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Juliana Rosa Nascimento, Fabrízzio Martin Pelle Perez, Larissa Tumelero Bombarda, Leticia Lirio Dos Santos, Ericles Andrei Bellei, Viviane Rostirola Elsner, Ana Carolina Bertoletti De Marchi
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