Background: 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. In response, a novel more versatile, isometric exercise (IE) device, the IsoBall (IB) was created. Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the BP-lowering effectiveness of this prototype. Methods: Twenty-three healthy participants (29.10±2.19 years old, 173.95±3.83 cm, 75.43±5.06 kg, SBP 127.10±10.37 mmHg, DBP 70.40±6.77 mmHg) were randomly allocated to either a control group (CON) or 2 isometric handgrip (IHG) training groups that used the Zona plus (ZON) and IB devices. The intervention groups completed 3 sessions each week of 4, 2 min IHG at 30% maximal voluntary contraction, with a 1-min rest, for 4 weeks. Resting BP, heart rate (HR) and IHG strength were measured in all groups at baseline and postintervention. Results: Postintervention systolic BP (SBP) was significantly lower in both ZON (114.5±8.2 mmHg, p = 0.000) and IB (119.9±7.0 mmHg, p = 0.000) compared to control (131.0±12.4 mmHg). Postintervention diastolic BP (DBP) was reduced in both intervention groups (ZON 66.6±7.4 mmHg, p = 0.004; IB 65.7±10.0 mmHg, p = 0.012) compared to CON (71.1±8.8 mmHg). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced in both groups (ZON 82.6±6.8 mmHg, p = 0.000; IB 84.3±9.1 mmHg, p = 0.000) compared to control (91.0±9.7 mmHg). No significant changes were seen in HR or strength ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that both the ZON and IB devices elicit significant SBP, DBP and MAP reductions. Despite the ZON group having larger reductions in BP, no significant differences were found between the two devices. Thus, this study indicates the IB device to be an effective alternative to the ZON that can also be used to perform other IE modalities.

It has been suggested that carbohydrate-protein based multi-ingredient supplements may attenuate exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) and immunosuppression. This study investigates the effects of a commercially available carbohydrate-protein supplement (MTN) enriched with L-glutamine, L-carnitine-L-tartrate compared to carbohydrate alone (CHO) or placebo (PL), on sprint performance, muscle damage, immunosuppression markers and recovery from an intermittent exercise bout.

Background Elderly people are particularly affected by rising systolic blood pressure (SBP). We hypothesized that resting blood pressure (RBP)-reducing isometric exercise training (IET) can be delivered in a group setting with older adults. Methods Participants (63–88 years; N = 19) completed IET at 30% maximum voluntary contraction, 3 days a week for 12 weeks. RBP was measured weekly throughout, plus 6 weeks posttraining. Control participants did not engage in IET (N = 5). Changes in RBP were assessed using a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results IET induced significant reductions in SBP (−10.5 mmHg; P < 0.05), but SBP also declined unexpectedly in the control group (−4.5 mmHg; P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure declined in the IET group only (−4.7 mmHg; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups for SBP or diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05). At 6 weeks posttraining, SBP was still 9.4 mmHg below baseline in the IET group only. A unique finding was that the clinically significant RBP reductions persisted for 6 weeks after IET. Conclusions Handgrip IET may be an effective antihypertensive intervention, which persists for several weeks in older adults, even when training ceases.

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. Therefore, this randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the BP-lowering efficacy of a multi-modal IET (MIET) intervention in healthy young adults. Twenty healthy participants were randomized to an MIET [n = 10; four women; SBP 117.9 ± 6.9 mmHg; DBP 66.3 ± 5.1 mmHg] or control (CON) group (n = 10; five women; SBP, 123.3 ± 10.4 mmHg; DBP, 77.3 ± 6.7 mmHg). The MIET group completed three sessions per week of 4, 2-min isometric contractions, with a 1-min rest between each contraction, for 6 weeks. Resting BP and heart rate (HR) were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Pre-to-post intervention within-group reductions in resting BP were observed (SBP: 5.3 ± 6.1 mmHg, DBP: 3.4 ± 3.7 mmHg, MAP: 4.0 ± 3.9 mmHg, HR: 4.8 ±6 .6 bpm), although clinically relevant (≥2 mmHg), these changes were not statistically significant. Significant (p < 0.05) between-group differences were found between the intervention and control groups, indicating that the MIET intervention has a greater BP-lowering effect compared to control. The clinically relevant post-training reductions in resting BP suggest that MIET may be a promising additional IET method for hypertension prevention. These findings; however, must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the non-clinical cohort.