Exercise in hypertensive children and adolescents: Any harm done?

Hypertensive children and adolescents are frequently arbitrarily excluded f rom sports or exercise because of the fear of possible complications, such as stroke or myocardial infarction. No hypertensive children have had exerc ise-related morbidity or mortality in the reviewed literature. No restricti on from dynamic exercise seems warranted; training has led to reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive youth. Isometric exercise is more hotly deb ated. Because no complications of exercise have been reported, the author p refers to allow participation if no target organ damage is present. Lifelon g maintenance of habitual physical activity may help prevent adult-onset es sential hypertension.