Recreational futsal provides broad-spectrum fitness and health benefits but no blood pressure effects in men with treated hypertension – a randomised controlled trial

We determined the coadjuvant effect of a recreational futsal (RF) programme versus standard care alone (CON) in men with treated arterial hypertension (TAHT). Thirty-nine men with TAHT were randomised to RF (N = 20; 48 ± 8 years; systolic blood pressure [SBP]: 122 ± 14 mmHg) with 2–3 one-hour sessions/week for 3 months, or to CON (N = 19; 51 ± 6 years; SBP: 126 ± 13 mmHg). Participants were assessed at baseline, at 3 months, and after 1 month of training cessation (4 months). Mean training attendance was 60 ± 23%. At 3-months, there were no between-group differences in BP parameters (SBP: 0.44 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.79, 6.67). However, compared to CON, the RF was effective for peak oxygen uptake (2.76 mL.min−1.kg−1; 95% CI: 0.26, 5.26), time to exhaustion (1.15 min; 95% CI: 0.59, 1.69), Yo-Yo IE1 performance (365 m; 95% CI: 175, 556), resting heart rate (RHR; −5 b.min−1; 95% CI: −10, −1), glycated haemoglobin (−0.52 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.84, −0.19), blood glucose (−0.25 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.44, −0.06), left femur bone mineral content (1.96 g; 95% CI: 0.29, 3.65), and postural balance (−2.3 falls; 95% CI: −3.9, −0.6). Similar findings were observed after 1-month of training cessation, except for RHR and blood glucose that returned to baseline levels in the RF group. In conclusion, RF provides broad-spectrum fitness and health benefits but no BP effects in men with TAHT.