Key result
Sustained isometric handgrip training for two weeks significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive young adults.
Why the study?
Non-pharmacological interventions are recommended to manage prehypertension and delay progression to hypertension, but the effect of isometric handgrip strength training on blood pressure and pulse pressure needed evaluation in normotensive and prehypertensive populations.
Does sustained isometric handgrip training reduce blood pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive young adults?
Does sustained isometric handgrip training reduce blood pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive young adults?
Mean Difference: 4.9
p-value: p=0.01
Two weeks of sustained isometric handgrip training significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both normotensive and prehypertensive young adults, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention.
BACKGROUND Prehypertension is common in adolescence and young adults and even normal blood pressure nowadays due to a marked increase in the sedentary lifestyle, job profile, psychological stress. Blood pressure (BP) in this age can linearly progress towards elevated levels of BP when associated with risk factors like body mass index (BMI). Along with lifestyle modifications, non-pharmacological interventions are also recommended to manage prehypertension and delay progression towards hypertension at a young age. Isometric handgrip training (IHGT) is emerging as a popular non-pharmacological therapy. Research has demonstrated hypotensive effects with IHGT in various sets when performed at 30 - 40 % maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The purpose of the present study was to find the effect of isometric handgrip strength training (IHG) on blood pressure and pulse pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive population. METHODS An experimental study design where 26 participants meeting the inclusion criteria were selected by convenient sampling. They were equally grouped into normotensive and prehypertensive training groups after measurement of baseline BP. All of them performed five 2 - minute sustained isometric contractions, at 30 - 40 % of MVC, using 90 an inexpensive spring hand grip trainer, for six sessions per week for 2 weeks. MVC was determined by a hand dynamometer. Pre - to - post BP and PP were compared in the present study. RESULTS After 2 weeks, t-test and repeated measures of ANOVA revealed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) [Mean Difference 4, 9] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [Mean Difference – 5, 5] (P = 0.01) but PP did not change in normotensive (P - 0.64) and prehypertensives (P = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS Practicing IHGT using an inexpensive spring handgrip trainer for two weeks consecutively reduced blood pressure but not pulse pressure. KEY WORDS Isometric, Handgrip.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Devmurari et al. (2021) studied Normotension and Prehypertension (n=26). Sustained Isometric Handgrip Training (IHGT) vs. Baseline (pre-post comparison) was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD 4.9, p=0.01). Sustained isometric handgrip training for two weeks significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive young adults.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: