LAUSR

Background: Clinical evidence shows that muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) is important for the treatment and management of hypertension. However, the links between MSE and hypertension in epidemiological research are currently poorly understood. This study examines the association between MSE duration and volume with clinically assessed hypertension. Methods: Cross-sectional data (n = 10519, adults ≥ 16 years) were pooled from the Health Survey for England (2012, 2016). Self-reported MSE mode (own bodyweight; gym-based), duration, and volume were tested for associations with sphygmomanometer measured hypertension (SBP ≥ 130 mmHg or DBP ≥ 80 mmHg). Poisson regressions with robust error variance were used to calculate the prevalence ratios of hypertension (outcome variable) across MSE (exposure variables: duration (minutes [0 (reference); 10–20; 21 –59; ≥60/session]); and volume [0 (reference); low