Effect of isometric handgrip exercise training on resting hemodynamics: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Hypertension remains a significant global health concern.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are sought to manage arterial pressure.
• Isometric Handgrip (IHG) training is a potential therapeutic modality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if IHG training lowers resting arterial pressure.
• To determine if arterial pressure reductions correlate with heart rate variability (HRV) changes.

Main Methods:

• A case series involving two female subjects with hypertension.
• IHG training protocol: 4 bouts of 3-minute exercise at 30% MVC, 4x/week for 4 weeks.
• Resting arterial pressure and HRV measurements before and after training.

Main Results:

• Subject 1: Resting systolic pressure decreased from 160 to 140 mmHg, diastolic from 120 to 90 mmHg after 3 weeks. HRV remained unchanged.
• Subject 2: No consistent blood pressure reduction trend observed. HRV showed no significant changes with training.
• Blood pressure changes appeared influenced by prior hypertensive medication use.

Conclusions:

• IHG training demonstrated a moderate blood pressure-lowering effect in the studied hypertensive subjects.
• The relationship between blood pressure response, HRV, and medication history warrants further investigation.
• IHG training may serve as a viable non-pharmacological approach for managing arterial pressure.