Background: Isometric handgrip (IHG) exercises can be a simple tool and an effective, time-consumable test that may be beneficial for blood pressure (BP) regulation. Hypertension prevention or BP control is necessary nowadays. Isometric exercise evokes the contractions of skeletal muscle without altering their length, but changes in the tension of the muscle occur. Through lifestyle modification, static exercises maintain the desired BP in individuals other than aerobic exercises.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effective changes of isometric handgrip exercise on young, healthy subjects and determine changes in heart rate (HR) and BP before and after exercise.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study has been conducted in the department of physiology at JMC Rajasthan for 3 months. The study sample included 72 volunteer subjects (40 male and 32 females) aged 19–25 years, and handgrip spring dynamometer was used for isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) training exercise training. The IHE training group performed handgrip exercises for 3 months at 30% of their maximum isometric contraction, 3 times/week for five 3-min bouts with 5-min rest periods between each bout. Before and after the intervention, BP and HR were measured. P-value was advised significant at 0.05.
Results: At the completion of 3 months of IHE exercise training, significant changes are seen in HR and BP in all healthy volunteers (P < 0.001 for all forms of BP) (HR, P = 0.014). In female volunteer and diastolic BP, it decreases significantly, but no significant changes are seen in systolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and HR.
Conclusion: IHG exercise training reduces or regulates baseline BP and HR and explores the potential of this intervention for managing or preventing hypertension.
Key words: Isometric Handgrip Exercise; Handgrip Spring Dynamometer; Blood Pressure; Systolic Blood Pressure; Diastolic Blood Pressure; Mean Arterial Pressure; Heart Rate
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