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OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects on blood pressure of a 12‐week moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise program and a T'ai Chi program of light activity.

DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial.

SETTING: A suburban clinic in the Baltimore, MD, area.

PARTICIPANTS: Sixty‐two sedentary older adults (45% black, 79% women, aged > 60 years) with systolic blood pressure 130–159 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 95 mm Hg (not on antihypertensive medication).

INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to a 12‐week aerobic exercise program or a light intensity T'ai Chi program. The goal of each condition was to exercise 4 days per week, 30 minutes per day.

MEASUREMENTS: Blood pressure was measured during three screening visits and every 2 weeks during the intervention. Estimated maximal oxygen uptake and measures of physical activity level were determined at baseline and at the end of the …