Journal of Hypertension and Cardiology

Journal Of Hypertension And Cardiology

Journal of Hypertension and Cardiology

Current Issue Volume No: 2 Issue No: 3

Research Article Open Access Available online freely Peer Reviewed Citation

Rate Pressure Product Responses during an Acute Session of Isometric Resistance Training: A Randomized Trial

Debra J. Carlson 1,   James R. McFarlane 1,   Gudrun Dieberg 1,   Neil A. Smart 1  

1School of Science and Technology, University of New England.

Abstract

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, responsible for approximately 31% of global mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the hypertensive responses and determine the peak rate pressure product, calculated by multiplying systolic blood pressure and heart rate, during isometric handgrip exercise.

Rate pressure product is a surrogate measure of myocardial oxygen consumption. Hypertensive responses utilising rate pressure product during isometric handgrip exercise have not previously been reported.

A randomized trial was conducted with 60 normotensive and 60 pre-hypertensive participants who attended once for an acute session of isometric handgrip exercise. Participants were randomized into groups exercising at 5%, 10% or 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Training was conducted using 4x2min isometric handgrip exercises each separated by a 3min rest period.

There were no significant differences between peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product across the four bouts of isometric handgrip exercise in all groups, all p>.05. Peak increases in rate pressure product were significantly higher than baseline at all intensities assessed; all normotensive groups p<.02, all pre-hypertensive groups p≤.001. Increases were relative to baseline blood pressure status and intensity of isometric handgrip exercise, with no significant differences between normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups.

Rate pressure product responses to isometric handgrip exercise indicate that it may be a safe alternative for people unable to perform recommended levels of aerobic exercise for blood pressure management.

Author Contributions
Received 10 Jan 2017; Accepted 31 Jan 2017; Published 09 Feb 2017;

Academic Editor: Hatori Nobuo, Director, Kobayashi Hospital

Checked for plagiarism: Yes

Review by: Single-blind

Copyright ©  2017 Debra J. Carlson, et al

License
Creative Commons License     This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Competing interests

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Citation:

Debra J. Carlson, James R. McFarlane, Gudrun Dieberg, Neil A. Smart (2017) Rate Pressure Product Responses during an Acute Session of Isometric Resistance Training: A Randomized Trial. Journal Of Hypertension And Cardiology - 2(3):1-11. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-17-1428

Download as RIS, BibTeX, Text (Include abstract )

DOI 10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-17-1428

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, representing approximately 31% of global mortality.1 The most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease is hypertension, which contributes to approximately 50% of adverse outcomes in the US, including myocardial infarction and heart failure.2 Current exercise recommendations from the American Heart Association to aid in controlling hypertension are a minimum 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, of physical activity.3  

A series of recent analyses have shown that isometric resistance training (IRT) can be effective in producing significant blood pressure lowering effects.4, 5, 6, 7 Concerns over hypertensive responses during IRT mean some health professionals remain reluctant to recommend IRT. Consequently, moderate and vigorous aerobic exercise combined with resistance training remains the preferred exercise prescription to manage hypertension.8 Cardiovascular responses during resistance training are relative to intensity, number of repetitions, rest intervals and the duration of muscle recruitment.9 Aerobic exercise increases systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR), and consequently myocardial oxygen consumption, relative to the intensity and duration of the exercise.10  

Rate pressure product (RPP), calculated by multiplying SBP and HR, is a valid non-invasive surrogate measure of myocardial oxygen consumption.11, 12 Coronary blood flow, cardiac workload and left ventricular hypertrophy have also been found to be relative to RPP.13, 14 Rate pressure product during stress tests is also a determinant of cardiovascular mortality.15

Despite concerns that RPP is raised during IRT, evidence suggests that during maximal isometric resistance exercise, RPP is lower than that seen during maximal aerobic exercise.9, 10 Previous studies into the effect of isometric exercise on blood pressure have not looked at peak SBP, HR and RPP during exercise. The primary aim of this study was to determine the peak SBP, HR and RPP during an acute isometric handgrip exercise session at 5%, 10% and 30% maximum voluntary contraction, in both healthy normotensive individuals and those with pre-hypertension. 

Methods

Study Design

A randomized trial was conducted with the objective of determining peak rate pressure product (RPP) during isometric handgrip exercise. After establishing the eligibility of participants they were randomized into either a 5%, 10% or 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) intensity subgroup based on their normotensive/pre-hypertensive status. A computer generated random number assignment was used by D Carlson for randomization of participants.( Figure 1). Each subgroup contained 20 participants who were blinded to intensity allocation and matched at baseline for blood pressure, age, height and weight. Adherence by randomized individuals was 100%, none of the participants reported any adverse effects from the isometric handgrip exercise protocol. The University of New England Ethics Committee approved the investigation, all participants provided written informed consent prior to participation, and all procedures were in accordance with the University’s guidelines. The research project is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT0245845). 

Figure 1.Flow chart demonstrating participant recruitment, randomization and retention. 
Flow chart demonstrating participant recruitment, randomization and retention. 

Participants

This study recruited 120 participants; 60 normotensives (men; n=34) and 60 pre-hypertensives (men; n=25), aged between 30 and 66 years, from the New England Region NSW Australia. Healthy normotensive participants, for the purpose of this study, were those with a resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 125mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 85mmHg not currently taking anti-hypertensive medication. Participants with a resting SBP ≥ 125mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 85mmHg, and those receiving pharmacological intervention for blood pressure management were classified as pre-hypertensive. Participants were excluded if they had known cardiovascular disease or multiple comorbidities, were unable to participate under their doctor’s recommendation, smokers, and/or those with arthritis or carpal tunnel which may have been aggravated with handgrip exercise. Participant baseline characteristics are displayed in Table 1.

Table 1. Participant Baseline Characteristics
    Normotensive 5% MVC 10% MVC 30% MVC Pre-Hypertensive 5% MVC 10% MVC 30% MVC
Characteristics            
n (male) 20 (12) 20 (12) 20 (10) 20 (8) 20 (10) 20 (7)
Age (years) 39 ± 9 39 ± 11 39 ± 12 54 ± 7 55 ± 8 52 ± 8
Height (cm) 174 ± 8 174 ± 11 171 ± 9 171 ± 9 171 ± 10 170 ± 9
Weight (kg) 81 ± 17 81 ± 20 74 ± 13 88 ± 20 92 ± 18 88 ± 16
SBP (mmHg) 115 ± 11 119 ± 13 115 ± 9 131 ± 13 133 ± 13 136 ± 12
DBP (mmHg) 67 ± 7 70 ± 7 69 ± 8 75 ± 8 75 ± 8 77 ± 7
MAP (mmHg) 85 ± 8 88 ± 9 87 ± 8 97 ± 9 97 ± 10 100 ± 9
HR (bpm) 68 ± 10 70 ± 11 68 ± 9 69 ± 10 70 ± 7 67 ± 9
RPP 7865 ± 1355 8251 ± 1103 7764 ± 1254 9001 ± 1186 9325 ± 1157 9074 ± 1353

• Values are mean ± SD. DBP-diastolic blood pressure, HR-heart rate, MAP-mean arterial pressure,
• MVC-maximum voluntary contraction, RPP-rate pressure product, SBP-systolic blood pressure.

Training Protocol

Participants attended the Exercise Physiology laboratory at the University of New England for one isometric handgrip exercise session, supervised by a member of the research team. During this session participants conducted isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise using a DHD-3 Digital Hand Dynamometer (Saehan Corporation, South Korea) with their non-dominant hand. Participants received feedback via a specifically designed light box calibrated to each participant’s % of MVC, to screen them from knowing their group allocation whilst ensuring they performed IHG at the correct intensity.  

Prior to commencing the protocol participants conducted three contractions using maximum force, each separated by 30 seconds. These were then averaged to calculate the resistance at which they would conduct their handgrip exercise, either 5%, 10% or 30% of MVC dependent upon which subgroup they were randomized into. Participants then completed four bouts of two-minute IHG contractions at the allocated intensity separated by three-minute rest periods. This training protocol has been used in previous studies which have utilized 30% MVC to investigate the blood pressure lowering effects of IHG.4 Exercise intensities up to 50% MVC have been utilized in IHG studies where participants conducted the exercise for durations of 45seconds; however, this intensity is not sustainable for 2 minutes of IHG. 

Blood Pressure Measurements

Baseline blood pressure was established using a Finometer® Midi Model-2 (Finapres Medical Systems B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands) to monitor beat-to-beat blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Two minutes of continuous resting baseline blood pressure was recorded using the Finometer® prior to commencement of the training protocol. Whilst conducting the training protocol participants remained connected to the Finometer® to monitor cardiovascular measurements, for determining peak RPP during each bout of IHG exercise.  

Data from a previous trial conducted by the research team showed that there was no significant difference between sphygmomanometer and Finometer® measurements. We conducted a reliability study containing 40 participants that indicated SBP measurements by sphygmomanometer 131 ± 8.9 and Finometer® 133 ± 16.2 (95% CI -6.35, 2.08 p=.47). This non-significant difference between sphygmomanometer and Finometer® SBP measurements was accompanied by a strong positive correlation; r=0.58.

Statistical Analysis

BeatScope® Easy software which records waveforms and beat-to-beat data was used to unpack the Finometer® data into Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, USA). The entire two minutes of baseline data was averaged to determine individual baseline SBP, DBP, HR, MAP and RPP. Two minute baseline data was used to (i) categorise participants according to blood pressure and (ii) calculate differences between baseline and peak measures during IHG exercise. Individual participant data for each bout of IHG exercise was scrutinized to determine peak SBP and HR for peak RPP calculation. Mean baseline and peak exercise SBP, DBP, HR, MAP and RPP were used in our analysis.

Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22 (Chicago, Illinois, USA), p ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), unless otherwise specified. One-way ANOVA was conducted to compare mean peak SBP, DBP, HR, MAP and RPP across four bouts of isometric handgrip exercise for each intensity within the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups. Comparison of the various intensities within the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups was conducted using MANOVA. Comparison of normotensive versus hypertensive peak RPP for each bout was conducted using one-way ANOVA, with independent t-test used to compare peak bouts for each intensity. 

Results

Peak Blood Pressure and Heart Rate during Handgrip Exercise

Comparison of mean peak SBP, DBP, MAP and HR across the four bouts of IHG exercise for each intensity; in both the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups, showed no significant differences between the four bouts, as shown in Table 2. Comparison of mean baseline SBP, DBP and MAP with the peak of four bouts for the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups were all statistically significant, p<.01. Peak exercise SBP, DBP and MAP was higher than baseline for all groups.

Table 2. Peak Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Mean Arterial Pressure and Heart Rate during Isometric Handgrip Exercise
  Normotensive     Pre-hypertensive    
MVC 5% 10% 30% 5% 10% 30%
Systolic Blood Pressure            
Baseline 115 ± 11 119 ± 13 115 ± 9 131 ± 13 133 ± 13 136 ± 12
Bout 1 130 ± 11 140 ± 25 142 ± 17 147 ± 14 151 ± 17 154 ± 15
∆ change 15 21 27 16 18 18
∆ % 13 17.6 23.5 12.2 13.5 13.2
Bout 2 132 ± 20 136 ± 14 146 ± 18 147 ± 19 154 ± 18 169 ± 36
∆ change 17 17 31 16 21 33
∆ % 14.8 14.3 27 12.2 15.8 24.3
Bout 3 133 ± 16 136 ± 15 154 ± 23 143 ± 15 156 ± 19 174 ± 36
∆ change 18 17 39 12 23 38
∆ % 15.7 14.3 33.9 9.16 17.3 27.9
Bout 4 137 ± 29 138 ± 18 150 ± 17 144 ± 17 156 ± 17 172 ± 33
∆ change 22 19 35 13 23 36
∆ % 19 16 30.4 9.9 17.3 26.5
ANOVA F(3,76) 0.48 0.22 1.49 0.36 0.28 1.66
p-value 0.7 0.88 0.22 0.78 0.84 0.18
Diastolic Blood Pressure            
Baseline 67 ± 7 70 ± 7 69 ± 8 75 ± 8 75 ± 8 77 ± 7
Bout 1 76 ± 8 79 ± 8 82 ± 11 81 ± 10 84 ± 13 87 ± 9
∆ change 9 9 13 6 9 10
∆ % 13.4 12.9 18.8 8 12 13
Bout 2 74 ± 7 80 ± 10 90 ± 22 82 ± 9 85 ± 11 92 ± 15
∆ change 7 10 21 7 10 15
∆ % 10.4 14.3 30.4 9.3 13.3 19.5
Bout 3 77 ± 10 79 ± 8 91 ± 17 82 ± 9 85 ± 13 98 ± 22
∆ change 10 9 22 7 10 21
∆ % 14.9 12.9 31.88 9.3 13.3 27.3
Bout 4 76 ± 7 79 ± 11 92 ± 14 81 ± 11 86 ± 12 96 ± 22
∆ change 9 9 23 6 11 19
∆ % 13.4 12.9 33.3 8 14.7 24.7
ANOVA F(3,76) 0.56 0.07 1.51 0.04 0.07 1.34
p-value 0.65 0.98 0.22 0.99 0.97 0.27
Mean Arterial Pressure            
Baseline 85 ± 8 88 ± 9 87 ± 8 97 ± 9 97 ± 10 100 ± 9
Bout 1 95 ± 9 101 ± 11 106 ± 12 104 ± 11 109 ± 12 112 ± 11
∆ change 10 13 19 7 12 2
∆ % 11.8 14.8 21.8 7.2 12.4 2
Bout 2 97 ± 11 101 ± 10 112 ± 20 107 ± 13 111 ± 13 121 ± 21
∆ change 12 13 25 10 14 21
∆ % 14.1 14.8 28.7 10.3 14.4 21
Bout 3 98 ± 10 100 ± 11 118 ± 21 105 ± 11 110 ± 12 128 ± 28
∆ change 13 12 31 8 13 28
∆ % 15.3 13.6 35.6 8.2 13.4 28
Bout 4 100 ± 16 100 ± 14 114 ± 13 105 ± 12 112 ± 13 125 ± 29
∆ change 15 12 27 8 15 25
∆ % 17.6 13.6 31 8.2 15.5 25
ANOVA F(3,76) 0.51 0.02 1.61 0.22 0.18 1.66
p-value 0.68 0.99 0.19 0.88 0.91 0.18
Heart Rate            
Baseline 68 ± 10 70 ± 11 68 ± 9 69 ± 10 70 ± 7 67 ± 9
Bout 1 67 ± 12 68 ± 15 71 ± 11 71 ± 10 71 ± 11 73 ± 10
∆ change 1 2 3 2 1 6
∆ % 1.5 2.9 4.4 2.9 1.4 9
Bout 2 66 ± 10 66 ± 11 74 ± 11 72 ± 9 70 ± 8 73 ± 12
∆ change 2 4 6 3 0 6
∆ % 2.9 5.7 8.8 4.3 0 9
Bout 3 65 ± 10 67 ± 12 74 ± 13 72 ± 9 69 ± 7 79 ± 16
∆ change 3 3 6 3 -1 12
∆ % 4.4 4.3 8.8 4.3 -1.4 17.9
Bout 4 70 ± 11 66 ± 12 75 ± 12 72 ± 10 71 ± 11 75 ± 13
∆ change 2 4 7 3 1 8
∆ % 2.9 5.7 10.3 4.3 1.4 11.9
ANOVA F(3,76) 0.72 0.13 0.77 0.03 0.27 1.03
p-value 0.54 0.94 0.52 0.99 0.85 0.38

• Mean ± Standard deviation. MVC – Maximum voluntary contraction. 

Peak exercise HR was higher than baseline at 30% intensity with statistically significant differences seen in the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups, p<.05. Peak HR during IHG exercise was higher in the pre-hypertensive group than the normotensive group. Normotensive 5% and pre-hypertensive 5% and 10% MVC intensities saw minimal increases in HR from baseline to peak exercise with no statistical significance; while peak exercise HR in the normotensive 10% MVC group was lower than baseline. 

Peak Rate Pressure Product during Handgrip Exercise

There were no significant differences in peak RPP across the four bouts of 2 minute IHG exercise for each of the intensities, in either the normotensive or pre-hypertensive groups, as shown in Table 3. The high probability and low f-statistic for all of the normotensive and hypertensive groups indicate that there is very little difference in peak RPP between bouts with IHG.

Table 3. Comparison of Peak Rate Pressure Product across Isometric Handgrip Exercise Bouts  
    Normotensive     Pre-hypertensive    
5% MVC 10% MVC 30% MVC 5% MVC 10% MVC 30% MVC
Baseline 7865 ± 1355 8251 ± 1103 7764 ± 1254 9001 ± 1186 9325 ± 1157 9074 ± 1353
Bout 1 8754 ± 1762 9409 ± 2334 10085 ± 2392 10473 ± 1885 10724 ± 2028 11274 ± 2120
∆ change 889 1158 2321 1472 1399 2200
∆ % 11.3 14 29.9 16.4 15 24.2
Bout 2 8785 ± 2244 8931 ± 1624 10546 ± 2713 10479 ± 1716 10756 ± 1798 12301 ± 3235
∆ change 920 680 2782 1478 1431 3227
∆ % 11.7 8.2 35.8 16.4 15.3 35.6
Bout 3 8609 ± 1697 9073 ± 1535 11586 ± 3297 10244 ± 1353 10677 ± 1482 14136 ± 5879
∆ change 744 822 3822 1243 1352 5062
∆ % 9.5 10 49.2 13.8 14.5 55.8
Bout 4 9617 ± 3115 9137 ± 1931 11320 ± 2352 10260 ± 1776 11041 ± 1984 13077 ± 4878
∆ change 1752 886 3556 1259 1716 4003
∆ % 22.3 10.7 45.8 14 18.4 44.1
ANOVA F(3,76) 0.81 0.23 1.3 0.12 0.16 1.6
p-value 0.49 0.88 0.28 0.95 0.92 0.2

• Mean ± Standard deviation. MVC – Maximum voluntary contraction.

Significant differences were seen between baseline RPP and the peak RPP during IHG exercise in both the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups, as displayed in Table 4. The peak bout varied amongst groups with the highest being bout 4, bout 1 and bout 3 for the 5%, 10% and 30% MVC normotensive groups respectively. Variation was seen in the pre-hypertensive peak bouts with 5%, 10% and 30% MVC groups peaking at bout 2, bout 4 and bout 3 respectively. Although rate pressure product increases from baseline to peak were statistically significant for all groups, the actual increase in RPP was relatively minimal in the 5% and 10% groups compared to those seen in the 30% group, Table 4.

Table 4. Comparison of Baseline Rate Pressure Product and Peak Rate Pressure Product during Isometric Handgrip Exercise
    Baseline RPP Mean ± SD Peak RPP Mean ± SD 95% CI   p-value   ∆ change   ∆%  
Normotensive            
5% MVC 7865 ± 1355 9617 ± 3115 -3378, -127 P=.003 1752 22.3
10% MVC 8251 ± 1103 9409 ± 2334 -1260, -100 P=.015 1158 14
30% MVC 7764 ± 1254 11586 ± 3297 -5894, -1751 P<.001 3822 49.2
Pre-hypertensive            
5% MVC 9001 ± 1186 10479 ± 1716 -2449, -507 P˂.001 1478 16.4
10% MVC 9325 ± 1157 11041 ± 1984 -2906, -526 P˂.001 1716 18.4
30% MVC 9074 ± 1353 14136 ± 5879 -8923, -1201 P=.001 5062 55.8

• MVC-maximum voluntary contraction, RPP-rate pressure product

Comparison of Normotensive Versus Hypertensive

As expected peak RPP was higher for all of the pre-hypertensive intensities than those seen in the corresponding normotensive groups. There were no significant differences between the normotensive and pre-hypertensive peak bouts in either the 5% intensity (95% CI -748, 2472, p=0.29) or the 30% intensity (95%)

CI -501, 5601, p=0.99) groups. Statistically significant differences were seen between the peak bouts in the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups in the 10% intensity (95% CI 246, 3019, p=0.02).

Discussion

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of isometric handgrip exercise on blood pressure, heart rate and consequently rate pressure product. The study demonstrates that IHG exercise increases blood pressure, and consequently RPP in both healthy normotensive and pre-hypertensive individuals during IHG exercise, but to a lesser extent than aerobic exercise. Blood pressure increases were greater with increased intensity, as indicated by Maior et al. (2014).9 

Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

As anticipated we saw significant increases in SBP, DBP, MAP and HR from baseline to peak exercise during IRT. The pre-hypertensives had an initial higher baseline than the normotensives; interestingly, increases in SBP, DBP, MAP and HR across all intensities for both the normotensive and pre-hypertensive groups were similar. Within the 30% intensity the normotensives increased SBP by 39mmHg, while the pre-hypertensives increased by 38mmHg. When we compare our IRT responses to previously published aerobic exercise response data, we find that hypertensive responses of SBP during exercise stress tests have reached greater increases and peaks than those seen in this IRT study. Kurl et al.16 saw mean maximal SBP during an exercise stress test of 210mmHg, while Gupta et al. 17 saw increases greater than 44mmHg with a peak of 195mmHg. A meta-analysis conducted by Schultz et al.18 indicated SBP hypertensive responses to moderate and maximal exercise reaching 230mmHg during aerobic exercise.

Increases from baseline to peak in DBP for the 30% normotensives were 23mmHg while pre-hypertensives increased 21mmHg. More moderate increases from baseline to peak in DBP were seen by  

Gupta et al.17 with only an 8mmHg increase to 88mmHg during a stress test. The increases from baseline to peak in MAP were 31mmHg for the 30% normotensives and 28mmHg for the pre-hypertensives. The highest peak MAP observed in this study was 128mmHg which is comparable with those seen by Simonson and Wyatt19 with MAP of 142mmHg cycling and 124mmHg using treadmill.

Heart rate increases seen in this study were minimal even in the 30% intensity groups with only a 7bpm increase and peak of 75bpm in the normotensives, and a 12bpm increase with a peak of 79bpm in the pre-hypertensives. The Finnish cardiovascular study saw HR more than double with peaks during exercise of 152bpm and 131bpm during an exercise stress test.15 Similar increases in HR were seen by Simonson and Wyatt19 who saw HR peaks of 175bpm during supine cycle ergometry and 187bpm on a treadmill in maximum stress tests. The recovery seen after IRT occurs within 20 seconds, indicating that it is less dangerous than aerobic exercise due to low increases in heart rate and fast recovery.

Rate Pressure Product

Baseline to peak RPP for the 30% intensity normotensive group increased by 3822 to a peak of 11586, with the pre-hypertensive group increasing by 5062 to a peak of 14136.

The RPP increases which we saw are similar to those seen by Maior et al. (2014)9, who looked at blood pressure measurements taken immediately following isometric bench presses conducted by healthy individuals, and calculated RPP at approximately 12500 at 25% intensity. Atkinson et al. (2009)13 assessed RPP from 24hour ambulatory monitoring in patients attending a hypertension clinic and saw mean RPP of 9824 with a peak of 11284, from people conducting their normal routine.

Overall maximal RPP during stress tests conducted by Pinkstaff et al. (2010)20 reached 27729 with one group averaging 28302. Maximum stress tests conducted by Simonson and Wyatt (2003)19 saw RPP during supine cycle ergometry of 34475 and treadmill of 31930, when taking oxygen consumption into account they equated to 27190 and 22600, respectively. The comparatively low, peak RPP which we observed, is attributed to the minimal effect of isometric exercise on heart rate. 

Conclusion

The increases in rate pressure product observed during isometric handgrip exercise were not as substantial as those seen during moderate and vigorous aerobic exercise in previous studies. Positive correlation among the four bouts of isometric handgrip exercise and baseline data in this study indicates that there is a positive linear relationship between blood pressure and intensity of isometric handgrip exercise. Statistical analyses show that increases in blood pressure, and consequently rate pressure product, are relative to baseline blood pressure. Greater increases in blood pressure and rate pressure product were observed with increased intensity; however, these were correlated with similar increases in both normotensives and pre-hypertensives. Previous studies reporting SBP, HR and RPP during exercise stress testing indicate that increases in these are a lot greater than those seen during IRT; indicating that cardiovascular responses during IRT are within safe limits. 

Limitations and Future Research

The main limitation of this study is a lack of direct comparison data with aerobic exercise. Recommendation for future research would be to conduct IRT and aerobic exercise with participants to get a direct comparison of SBP, DBP, HR and RPP in the two exercise modalities within the same cohort.  

Acknowledgements

Exercise Physiology Department, School of Science and Technology, University of New England.

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Cited by (9)

  1. 1.Baffour-Awuah Biggie, Pearson Melissa J., Smart Neil A., Dieberg Gudrun, 2022, Safety, efficacy and delivery of isometric resistance training as an adjunct therapy for blood pressure control: a modified Delphi study, Hypertension Research, 45(3), 483, 10.1038/s41440-021-00839-3
  1. 2.Alves Alberto J., Wu Yin, Lopes Susana, Ribeiro Fernando, Pescatello Linda S., 2023, Exercise for Hypertension: New Recommendation Strategies for Blood Pressure Control, Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 12(4), 120, 10.31189/2165-6193-12.4.120
  1. 3.McGowan Cheri L., Proctor David N., Swaine Ian, Brook Robert D., Jackson Elizabeth A., et al, 2017, Isometric Handgrip as an Adjunct for Blood Pressure Control: a Primer for Clinicians, Current Hypertension Reports, 19(6), 10.1007/s11906-017-0748-8
  1. 4.Smart Neil A., Gow Jeffrey, Bleile Beatrice, Van der Touw Thomas, Pearson Melissa J., 2020, An evidence-based analysis of managing hypertension with isometric resistance exercise—are the guidelines current?, Hypertension Research, 43(4), 249, 10.1038/s41440-019-0360-1
  1. 5.Smart Neil A., Howden Reuben, Cornelissen Veronique, Brook Robert, McGowan Cheri, et al, 2020, Physical Activity to Prevent and Treat Hypertension: A Systematic Review, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 52(4), 1001, 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002263
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