Blood pressure management - Isometric handgrip exercise reduces hypertension

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is responsible for 45% of cardiovascular deaths due to heart disease and 51% due to stroke worldwide (WHO). According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 31.6% of the Australian population had hypertension in 2011/2012. Our recent meta-analysis indicates that isometric exercise may be an effective treatment for those unable to conduct the recommended minimum 30 minutes per day of moderate aerobic exercise. The anti-hypertensive effect threshold of isometric handgrip training has not been established. Moreover, the usual handgrip intensity of 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) used in most studies is initially challenging for some people. Aims: To investigate the isometric handgrip intensity threshold for an anti-hypertensive effect, and the possibility of using a 5% MVC group as either a low intensity effect group or a true working control.