Effects of a 4‐Week Multi‐Exercise Isometric Resistance Training Programme on Resting and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Normotensive Adults
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
ABSTRACT Isometric resistance training (IRT) can reduce resting and ambulatory blood pressure (AmBP) yet established exercise methods lack versatility and may present with participation barriers. An isometric training band (ITB) has been identified as an alternative modality; however, its long‐term effects on resting and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) remains unknown. This study assessed the effects of the ITB on resting BP and AmBP following 4 weeks of IRT. Forty‐two normotensive adults (22 male, 20 female; mean ± SD, age 31 ± 14 years, systolic [sBP], 120 ± 5 mmHg, diastolic [dBP], 72 ± 7 mmHg), were randomised to a control (CON), isometric handgrip (IHG) or ITB group. Resting (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial BP and heart rate [HR]) and AmBP (24‐h, daytime and night‐time) were measured pre‐ and post‐4 weeks of supervised IRT (4 x 2‐min contractions at 30% MVC [IHG] or 4 x 2‐min contractions at CR‐10 values equivalent to 30% MVC [ITB]). Resting sBP was reduced for IHG (−4.6 mmHg, 0.05 across all measures). These findings suggest 4 weeks of IRT using the ITB can elicit reductions in resting BP and night‐time AmBP in normotensives comparable to IHG, indicating the ITB may offer a practical and cost‐effective alternative to established interventions. Highlights Isometric resistance training can reduce resting and ambulatory blood pressure, yet traditional methods require the use of specialised equipment, lack exercise versatility or require adopting exercise positions that m
Abstract
ABSTRACT Isometric resistance training (IRT) can reduce resting and ambulatory blood pressure (AmBP) yet established exercise methods lack versatility and may present with participation barriers. An isometric training band (ITB) has been identified as an alternative modality; however, its long‐term effects on resting and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) remains unknown. This study assessed the effects of the ITB on resting BP and AmBP following 4 weeks of IRT. Forty‐two normotensive adults (22 male, 20 female; mean ± SD, age 31 ± 14 years, systolic [sBP], 120 ± 5 mmHg, diastolic [dBP], 72 ± 7 mmHg), were randomised to a control (CON), isometric handgrip (IHG) or ITB group. Resting (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial BP and heart rate [HR]) and AmBP (24‐h, daytime and night‐time) were measured pre‐ and post‐4 weeks of supervised IRT (4 x 2‐min contractions at 30% MVC [IHG] or 4 x 2‐min contractions at CR‐10 values equivalent to 30% MVC [ITB]). Resting sBP was reduced for IHG (−4.6 mmHg, 0.05 across all measures). These findings suggest 4 weeks of IRT using the ITB can elicit reductions in resting BP and night‐time AmBP in normotensives comparable to IHG, indicating the ITB may offer a practical and cost‐effective alternative to established interventions. Highlights Isometric resistance training can reduce resting and ambulatory blood pressure, yet traditional methods require the use of specialised equipment, lack exercise versatility or require adopting exercise positions that may be challenging, limiting accessibility. Our results suggest that the use of an inexpensive novel isometric training band can elicit significant reductions in resting and night‐time systolic blood pressure following a 4‐week intervention. Blood pressure reductions elicited from the isometric training band were comparable to validated isometric handgrip interventions, therefore use of the ITB protocol may provide an accessible, versatile and cost‐effective alternative to conventional isometric resistance training approaches. bullet highlights