Effects of isometric leg training on ambulatory blood pressure and morning blood pressure surge in young normotensive men and women.

Despite the reported association between diurnal variations in ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and elevated cardiovascular disease risk, little is known regarding the effects of isometric resistance training (IRT), a practical BP-lowering intervention, on ambulatory BP and morning BP surge (MBPS). Thus, we investigated whether (i) IRT causes reductions in ambulatory BP and MBPS, in young normotensives, and (ii) if there are any sex differences in these changes. Twenty normotensive individuals (mean 24-h SBP = 121 ± 7, DBP = 67 ± 6 mmHg) undertook 10-weeks of bilateral-leg IRT (4 × 2-min/2-min rest, at 20% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) 3 days/week).

Blood pressure-lowering efficacy of a 6-week multi-modal isometric exercise intervention.

Isometric exercise training (IET) is an effective method for reducing resting blood pressure (BP). To date, no research studies have been conducted using multiple exercises within an IET intervention. Previous research has suggested that varied exercise programmes may have a positive effect on adherence.

Acceptability and Feasibility of an Isometric Resistance Exercise Program for Abdominal Cancer Surgery: An Embedded Qualitative Study.

Although it is recognized in the early stages of cancer recovery that changes in lifestyle including increases in physical activity improves physical function, there are no clear findings whether low versus moderate intensity activity or home or gym exercise offer optimal benefit. Isometric-resistance exercises can be carried out with very little equipment and space and can be performed while patients are bed-bound in hospital or at home. This embedded qualitative study, based in an English hospital trust providing specialist cancer care, was undertaken as a component of a feasibility trial to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of an isometric-resistance exercise program and explore the suitability of functional assessments by drawing from the experiences of abdominal cancer patients following surgery.

"Get a Grip on Hypertension": EXPLORING THE USE OF ISOMETRIC HANDGRIP TRAINING IN CARDIOPULMONARY REHABILITATION PATIENTS.

Purpose: Isometric handgrip (IHG) training lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), but the efficacy of IHG training in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if IHG decreases blood pressure in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients.

Methods: Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program participants (n = 11; 50-80 yr old) were randomized to IHG (n = 6) or control (CON; no treatment; n = 5) groups.

Blood pressure lowering effects of a novel isometric exercise device following a 4-week isometric handgrip intervention.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for global mortality. Isometric resistance exercise training reduces blood pressure (BP). However, the protocols used are often limited by cost/immobility and the use of rigid exercise modalities.

The use of the CR-10 scale to allow self-regulation of isometric exercise intensity in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive participants.

Purpose: Isometric exercise (IE) has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP). Using equipment with force output displays, intensity is usually regulated at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); however, the cost of programmable equipment and their requirement for maximal contractions presents limitations. A simple, cost-effective alternative deserves investigation.

Acute Response to a 2-Minute Isometric Exercise Test Predicts the Blood Pressure-Lowering Efficacy of Isometric Resistance Training in Young Adults.

Background: This work aimed to explore whether different forms of a simple isometric exercise test could be used to predict the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of different types of isometric resistance training (IRT) in healthy young adults. In light of the emphasis on primary prevention of hypertension, identifying those with normal BP who will respond to IRT is important. Also, heightened BP reactivity increases hypertension risk, and as IRT reduces BP reactivity in patients with hypertension, it warrants further investigation in a healthy population.

Reductions in Resting Blood Pressure in Young Adults When Isometric Exercise Is Performed Whilst Walking.

Aerobic and isometric training have been shown to reduce resting blood pressure, but simultaneous aerobic and isometric training have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in resting systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) after 6 weeks of either (i) simultaneous walking and isometric handgrip exercise (WHG), (ii) walking (WLK), (iii) isometric handgrip exercise (IHG), or control (CON). Forty-eight healthy sedentary participants (age 20.

Double-leg isometric exercise training in older men.

Double-leg isometric training has been demonstrated to reduce resting blood pressure in young men when using electromyographic activity (EMG) to regulate exercise intensity. This study assessed this training method in healthy older (45-60 years.) men.

Evidence for the role of isometric exercise training in reducing blood pressure: potential mechanisms and future directions.

Hypertension, or the chronic elevation in resting arterial blood pressure (BP), is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and estimated to affect ~1 billion adults worldwide. The goals of treatment are to lower BP through lifestyle modifications (smoking cessation, weight loss, exercise training, healthy eating and reduced sodium intake), and if not solely effective, the addition of antihypertensive medications. In particular, increased physical exercise and decreased sedentarism are important strategies in the prevention and management of hypertension.

Effects of the intensity of leg isometric training on the vasculature of trained and untrained limbs and resting blood pressure in middle-aged men.

The purpose of this study was to establish whether changes in resting blood pressure and the vasculature of trained and untrained limbs are dependent on training intensity, following isometric-leg training. Thirty middle-aged males undertook an 8 week training programme (4 × 2 min bilateral-leg isometric contractions 3 times per week). Two groups trained at either high (HI; 14%MVC) or low (LO; 8%MVC) intensity a third group (CON) acted as controls.

Mechanical and propelling efficiency in swimming derived from exercise using a laboratory-based whole-body swimming ergometer.

Determining the efficiency of a swimming stroke is difficult because different "efficiencies" can be computed based on the partitioning of mechanical power output (W) into its useful and nonuseful components, as well as because of the difficulties in measuring the forces that a swimmer can exert in water. In this paper, overall efficiency (η(O) = W(TOT)/Ė, where W(TOT) is total mechanical power output, and Ė is overall metabolic power input) was calculated in 10 swimmers by means of a laboratory-based whole-body swimming ergometer, whereas propelling efficiency (η(P) = W(D)/W(TOT), where W(D) is the power to overcome drag) was estimated based on these values and on values of drag efficiency (η(D) = W(D)/Ė): η(P) = η(D)/η(O). The values of η(D) reported in the literature range from 0.

Reductions in resting blood pressure after 4 weeks of isometric exercise training.

There is some evidence to suggest isometric training can reduce resting blood pressure in a shorter period than the typical 8 weeks, reported most commonly. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether 4 weeks of bilateral-leg isometric training can reduce resting blood pressure, and whether these changes are associated with altered cardiac output or total peripheral resistance. Thirteen participants volunteered for a 4-week crossover training study, involving three sessions per week (each session involving 4 x 2 min bilateral-leg isometric exercise).

The effects of performing isometric training at two exercise intensities in healthy young males.

No previous studies have examined the effects of isometric training intensity upon resting blood pressure (BP). The aims of this study were (a) to compare the effects of leg isometric training, performed at two intensities, upon resting systolic-SBP, diastolic-DBP and mean arterial-MAP BP; and (b) to examine selected cardiovascular variables, in an attempt to explain any changes in resting BP following training. Thirty-three participants were randomly allocated to either control, high- (HI) or low-intensity (LI) training for 8 weeks.

The relationships between exercise intensity, heart rate, and blood pressure during an incremental isometric exercise test.

Currently, it is not possible to prescribe isometric exercise at an intensity that corresponds to given heart rates or systolic blood pressures. This might be useful in optimizing the effects of isometric exercise training. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationships between isometric exercise intensity and both heart rate and systolic blood pressure during repeated incremental isometric exercise tests.

The effects of caffeine ingestion on performance time, speed and power during a laboratory-based 1 km cycling time-trial.

There is little published data in relation to the effects of caffeine upon cycling performance, speed and power in trained cyclists, especially during cycling of approximately 60 s duration. To address this, eight trained cyclists performed a 1 km time-trial on an electronically braked cycle ergometer under three conditions: after ingestion of 5 mg x kg-1 caffeine, after ingestion of a placebo, or a control condition. The three time-trials were performed in a randomized order and performance time, mean speed, mean power and peak power were determined.

A wide range of baroreflex stimulation does not alter forearm blood flow.

The contribution to the regulation of forearm blood flow (FBF) by different baroreceptor populations has previously only been studied over a limited range of stimuli. Therefore, FBF and R-R interval were recorded during neck suctions and neck pressures ranging from -60 to +40 mmHg. The change in R-R interval (DeltaR-R) during neck suction was significantly increased at each stage when compared to the control ( P<0.

The effects of breathing 5% CO2 on human cardiovascular responses and tolerance to orthostatic stress.

Breathing carbon dioxide (CO2) is known to induce hypercapnic acidosis and to affect chemoreceptor regulation of the cardiovascular system. However, there is limited information in the literature regarding the effects of breathing CO2 upon tolerance to orthostatic stress where cardiovascular regulation is challenged. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of breathing 5% CO2 on presyncopal tolerance to lower body negative pressure (LBNP).

The effects of isometric exercise training on resting blood pressure and orthostatic tolerance in humans.

Isometric exercise training has been shown to reduce resting blood pressure, but the effect that this might have on orthostatic tolerance is poorly understood. Changes in orthostatic tolerance may also be dependent on whether the upper or lower limbs of the body are trained using isometric exercise. Twenty-seven subjects were allocated to either a training or control group.