Effect of home-based isometric handgrip training on vascular function in middle-aged women with elevated pulse pressure
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Abstract
Background: Wide pulse pressure (PP) is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events. Isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) is a form of exercise used to manage blood pressure (BP). However, research on its effects in individuals with abovenormal pulse pressure remains limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of a home-IHG program on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in middle-aged individuals with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and elevated PP.
Materials and methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either the IHG group (IHG, N=14) or the control group (CON, N=14). The IHG group performed IHG at 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction, using a modified mercury sphygmomanometer as the exercise device, 3 times/week, for 8 weeks. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and BP were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
Results: The results demonstrated an improvement in vascular function following IHG implementation, indicated by a significant decrease in baPWV in the IHG group compared with the control group (IHG: 1240±121 cm/s vs CON: 1365±159 cm/s; p<0.05). IHG also significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared with the control group (IHG: 119.86±5.26 mmHg vs CON: 131.21±3.64 mmHg; p<0.05). Moreover, changes in baPWV were positively correlated with changes in SBP (r=0.65, p<0.001) and PP (r=0.52, p<0.01).
Conclusion: An 8-week home-based IHG program using a mercury sphygmomanometer for training reduced BP and arterial stiffness in middle-aged women with elevated PP.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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