A single session of multijoint exercises induces prolonged hypotension in medicated hypertensive postmenopausal women: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Isometric exercise has emerged as an effective strategy for blood pressure (BP) management, offering potential advantages over traditional exercise modalities; however, evidence regarding its 24-h effects in medicated hypertensive postmenopausal women remains limited. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of a single session of multijoint isometric exercise on 24-h ambulatory hemodynamic variables in medicated hypertensive postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this randomized crossover trial, 10 medicated hypertensive postmenopausal women (59 7 years) completed two experimental sessions: an isometric exercise session and a control session. The isometric exercise consisted of six multijoint exercises (upper and lower limbs), each performed for three sets of 1 min at 30% of 1-repetition maximum, with 2-min rest intervals. The control session involved sitting at rest for an equivalent duration. Following each session, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was conducted. RESULTS: Significant systolic BP reductions were observed following the isometric exercise session compared with the control session at 1 h ( P < 0.05), 6 h ( P < 0.05), and 24 h ( P < 0.05). Diastolic BP was also reduced at 1 h ( P < 0.05) and 12 h ( P < 0.05). Both awake and asleep periods showed significant BP reductions for systolic and diastolic BP (all, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single session of multijoint isometric exercise effectively reduces ambulatory BP over a 24-h period in medicated hypertensive postmenopausal women, including both awake and asleep periods. These findings support the potential clinical utility of isometric exercise as an adjunctive strategy for BP management in this population.