Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Oct 18:73:e373.
doi: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e373.

Acute blood pressure responses after different isometric handgrip protocols in hypertensive patients

Gustavo O Silva  1 , Breno Q Farah  2 , Antonio H Germano-Soares  1 , Aluísio Andrade-Lima  3 , Fabio S Santana  1 , Sérgio Lc Rodrigues  3 , Raphael M Ritti-Dias  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Acute blood pressure responses after different isometric handgrip protocols in hypertensive patients

Gustavo O Silva et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). .

Abstract

Objective: The present study analyzed blood pressure responses after a single session of isometric handgrip exercise performed with different volumes and intensities by patients with hypertension.

Methods: This randomized crossover trial submitted 12 hypertensive patients (58±5 years old) to four isometric handgrip exercise sessions in a random order: 4 x 2 min at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (S30%); 4 x 2 min at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (S50%2min); 4 x 3 min at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (S30%3min); and a control session. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and rate-pressure product were measured pre- and post-exercise (30th min).

Results: No significant changes were observed in cardiovascular variables after any session (p>0.05 for all comparisons). Similarly, individual analyses revealed heterogeneity in the responses, including increases in blood pressure observed in some sessions. Patients with reduced blood pressure after an isometric handgrip exercise session exhibited a higher body mass index, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate (p<0.05). They also tended to be younger (p=0.07).

Conclusion: Isometric handgrip exercise performed with different intensities and volumes did not reduce the blood pressure of hypertensive patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Design of the experimental sessions. BP - blood pressure measurement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Systolic (A) and diastolic (B) blood pressure (BP), heart rate (C), and rate-pressure product (RPP - D) before and after a session of handgrip exercise with different intensities and volumes. CS - control session.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Individual net effect of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) after a session of exercise with different intensities and volumes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. World Health Organization . Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2011.
    1. Lopez AD, Mathers CD, Ezzati M, Jamison DT, Murray CJ. Global and regional burden of disease and risk factors, 2001: systematic analysis of population health data. Lancet. 2006;367((9524)):1747–57. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68770-9. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Lewington S, Clarke R, Qizilbash N, Peto R, Collins R. Prospective Studies Collaboration. Age specific relevance of usual blood pressure to vascular mortality: a meta-analysis of individual data for one million adults in 61 prospective studies. Lancet. 2002;14;360((9349)):1903–13. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11911-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Badrov MB, Bartol CL, DiBartolomeo MA, Millar PJ, McNevin NH, McGowan CL. Effects of isometric handgrip training dose on resting blood pressure and resistance vessel endothelial function in normotensive women. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013;113((8)):2091–100. doi: 10.1007/s00421-013-2644-5. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Millar PJ, Bray SR, MacDonald MJ, McCartney N. The hypotensive effects of isometric handgrip training using an inexpensive spring handgrip training device. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2008;28((3)):203–7. doi: 10.1097/01.HCR.0000320073.66223.a7. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types