Chronic Effect of Isometric Exercise on Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension

Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul66 enrolled

Overview

International recommendations support dynamic or isometric strength training as an adjunct to aerobic exercise. Given the lack of consensus, this study aims to evaluate the chronic effects of isometric exercise, performed through handgrip or isometric knee extension, as a hypotensive strategy in adults with hypertension.

This study is designed as a randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded clinical trial, conducted entirely at the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI) of the Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul / University Foundation of Cardiology (ICFUC). The project follows all recommendations of the CONSORT Statement. Male and female participants aged 40 to 70 years, with blood pressure ≥ 120/80 mmHg, will be enrolled. After signing informed consent, participants will complete a questionnaire to assess their habitual physical activity level and will undergo isometric handgrip or isometric knee extension training for 4 weeks. Blood pressure will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Hypertension (HTN)Hypertension Arterial

Interventions

Isometric handgrip exercisePROCEDURE

Participants will train 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will consist of four sets of 2-minute contractions sustained at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), performed with a handgrip device for each arm, with 1-minute rest intervals between sets and between arms.

Isometric knee extension exercisePROCEDURE

Participants will train 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will consist of four sets of 2-minute contractions sustained at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), performed with adjustable ankle weights for each leg, with 1-minute rest intervals between sets and between legs.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with controlled hypertension under medication. Sedentary or physically inactive individuals. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant women. Unstable angina. Heart failure classified as NYHA class II, III, or IV. Recent cardiovascular event within the last 3 months. Chronic renal insufficiency. Diabetes mellitus. History of malignant disease with a life expectancy of less than 2 years. Orthopedic, physical, or mental limitations that prevent the performance of physical exercise.

Locations (1)

Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Bood pressure

Bood pressure (systolic and diastolic) measured by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Time frame: Assessments (systolic/diastolic pressure) will be performed at baseline and after 4 weeks of training (post-intervention).

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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