Isometric handgrip training alleviated an inter-arm blood pressure difference and incidence of impaired vascular properties in prehypertensive adults

Abstract

Large blood pressure difference between arms was associated with early atherosclerosis as well as cardiovascular events. The aim of this quasi-experiment study was to determine the effect of isometric handgrip training on an inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference and incidence of impaired vascular properties in middle-age prehypertensive adults. Thirty prehypertensive individuals with resting blood pressure were 120-139/80-89 mmHg, age range 40-59 years, were participated in this study for 8 weeks.  Subjects were required to exercise using handgrip dynamometer at an intensity of 30% maximum voluntary contraction, hold for 2 minutes, 4 times/set with a 1-minute rest period, 1 set/day,  3 times/week. Blood pressure was measured in both arms sequentially, an inter-arm blood pressure difference was calculated from the absolute systolic blood pressure value between right arms minus left arms |R – L|. At the end of the study, an inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference reduced significantly when compared with baseline (p<0.05). In addition, the incidence of impaired vascular properties, which was indicated by the inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference equal or more than 5 mmHg reduced significantly compared with baseline (p=0.026). Therefore, isometric handgrip exercise contributed to reducing the blood pressure difference together with vascular impairment in prehypertensive adults.