Boxing Training Lowers Blood Pressure in Young Adults

New study from University of Texas at El Paso shows boxing can significantly reduce hypertension in young people.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 5:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study from researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso found that just six weeks of boxing training can significantly reduce blood pressure and improve blood vessel function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension. The study, published in the journal Sports, is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of boxing on cardiovascular and vascular health in this population.

Why it matters

Hypertension is a major contributor to heart disease, stroke and premature death, and many young adults with early-stage hypertension are unaware they have the condition. These findings could provide an accessible, engaging exercise alternative to medication for managing high blood pressure in young people.

The details

The study involved 24 participants around age 25 who were randomly assigned to either a boxing training group or a control group. Over six weeks, the boxing group completed three sessions per week, each consisting of 10 three-minute rounds of heavy bag and mitt work. By the end of the training, the boxing group saw their systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 16 mmHg and their diastolic pressure fall by 10 mmHg - reductions comparable to or greater than those typically achieved through medication. The boxing group also showed meaningful improvements in endothelial function, which is the ability of blood vessel walls to regulate blood flow.

  • The study was published on March 24, 2026.
  • The study took place over a six-week period.

The players

Alvaro Gurovich

Professor and chair of the UTEP Department of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences, and senior author of the study.

Francisco Morales-Acuña

Doctoral student in the Clinical Applied Physiology (CAPh) Laboratory in the Department of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences at UTEP, and lead author of the study.

The University of Texas at El Paso

The university where the research was conducted and is America's leading Hispanic-serving university.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hypertension is a primary contributor to heart disease, stroke and premature death, and many young adults who are in the early stages of the condition are not aware that they have it. These findings could reshape how clinicians approach one of the world's most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors.”

— Alvaro Gurovich, Professor and chair of the UTEP Department of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences

“This research exemplifies the kind of applied, patient-centered science that defines our college. Dr. Gurovich and his colleagues have produced evidence with real clinical relevance, demonstrating that an accessible, engaging form of exercise can move the needle on a condition that affects millions of people.”

— Scott Kruse, Dean of the UTEP College of Health Sciences

“What we're showing is that boxing training is not just a fun workout; it can actually change how your blood vessels work. After just six weeks, the blood vessels of our participants were more flexible, more responsive and carrying more blood. That directly translates into a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. For young people who are already on a path toward hypertension, this could be a powerful and sustainable alternative to starting a lifetime of medication.”

— Alvaro Gurovich, Professor and chair of the UTEP Department of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences

What’s next

The authors noted that future studies should examine whether these benefits extend to older populations and to individuals who take up boxing outside a controlled training program.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates that an accessible, engaging form of exercise like boxing can significantly improve cardiovascular health and provide a sustainable alternative to medication for young adults with early-stage hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.