Proinflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Response to Isometric Handgrip Exercise and the Effects of Duration and Intensity of the Isometric Efforts in Prehypertensive Participants.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of selected inflammatory cytokines to isometric handgrip exercise and identify possible effects of intensity and duration of the isometric effort on these variables.

Methods: A total of 192 sedentary prehypertensive Nigerian participants aged between 30 and 50 years were recruited into the study and randomly distributed into 3 groups of 64 participants each. The participants performed 24 consecutive days of isometric handgrip exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction.

Isometric Handgrip Exercise Training Improves Spirometric Parameters and Pulmonary Capacity.

Decline in normal physiological pulmonary function has been attributed to premorbid conditions such as prehypertension. Research evidence suggests that physical activity reduces age-related decline in pulmonary function and improves the efficiency of the lungs in prehypertensive patients. However, there is a scarcity of data evidence relating to isometric exercise and pulmonary function.

Immune system response to isometric handgrip exercise and effects of duration and intensity of the exercise protocol on selected immune system parameters in prehypertensives.

Background: Recent studies have shown that physical exercise significantly modulates immunocyte dynamics and possibly plays a significant role on immune function. This study examined the responses of some selected immune system parameters to isometric handgrip exercise and identified possible effects of intensity and duration of the exercise protocols.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-two (N=192) sedentary pre-hypertensive subjects, aged between 30-50 years were recruited into the study.