Modification of Forearm Vascular Function Following Short-Term Handgrip Exercise Training

Abstract

This study examined the effect of low (25% of maximum voluntary contraction) and high (75% of maximum voluntary contraction) intensity short-term handgrip exercise training on localized vascular function. Forearm blood flow was evaluated in twenty-eight healthy men (age: 23 +/- 4.3) pre- and post-training in both forearms at rest, following forearm occlusion and following forearm occlusion combined with handgrip exercise using strain gauge plethysmography. The 4-week program consisted of non-dominant handgrip exercise performed 5 d/wk for 20 min at either low or high intensity. Following training a significant increase in forearm blood flow was noted for the nondominant arm in both groups after forearm occlusion (low intensity group: 16.51%; high intensity group: 20.72%; p = 0.001) and forearm occlusion combined with handgrip exercise (low intensity group: 17.71%; high intensity group: 29.27%; p = 0.001). No significant group by test interaction (p = 0.632) was found. These data show improved unilateral vasodilatory responsiveness after short-term handgrip training. In addition, the degree of change is most notable following the greatest vasodilatory stimulus. Lastly, a lack of group by treatment interaction suggests the change may be independent of training stimulus.

Preserved flow-mediated dilation in the inactive legs of spinal cord-injured individuals

“…These observations are supported by similar findings in SCI individuals by Shenberger et al (43) and are in line with earlier studies showing an increased peak vasodilator response in the active arms of tennis players compared with controls (45) and an improved vasodilator capacity in the BA after 4 wk of handgrip training (3,46). The responsible mechanisms for this training-induced elevation in hyperemic response may again be related to functional as well as structural adaptations in the vascular system.…”

“…The enhanced relative FMD response in the inactive legs of SCI compared with controls was an unexpected finding, because most training studies show that increased physical activity leads to an enhanced endothelial function (3,10,13,17,21,45). Data on the effect of inactivity are controversial.…”

“…Previous studies, in which the effect of physical activity on FMD was assessed, demonstrate that regular aerobic training enhances FMD in the brachial artery in healthy individuals (3,10,13,17,21,45) and in patients with Type 1 diabetes and heart transplantation (17, 22). Hornig et al (21) investigated the effect of 4 wk of daily handgrip training in patients with chronic heart failure and reported significantly improved FMD in the trained dominant arm but not in the nondominant arm, suggesting a local beneficial mechanism.…”

Effect of Isometric Hand Grip Exercise Training on Cardiovascular and Echocardiographic Parameters Among Healthy Young Males

“…This form of exercise has been found to result similar reduction in resting arterial blood pressure as that of conventional aerobic therapy, (6) and have beneficial effects, on autonomic nervous system regulation of blood pressure, (7) in improving cerebral haemodynamics (8) and forearm vascular response. (9) In spite of the above fact, very few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of IHG training on cardiovascular system, especially on cardiac morphology & functioning. Hence, the study was planned.…”

Effect of Isometric Handgrip Exercise Training on Resting Hemodynamics: A Pilot Study

“…It has been used in patients with heart failure and hypertension (5-7). Handgrip exercise has been found in recent years to be beneficial in improving cerebral hemodynamic (8), forearm vascular response (9), and autonomic nervous system regulation on blood pressure (10,11).…”