Neurohumoral and ambulatory haemodynamic adaptations following isometric exercise training in unmedicated hypertensive patients

Abstract

This is the first evidence of durable BP reduction and wider cardiovascular disease risk benefits of IET in a relevant patient population. Our findings support the role of IET as a safe and viable therapeutic and preventive intervention in the treatment of hypertension.

Effects of isometric resistance training on resting blood pressure

“…The studies by Stiller-Moldovan et al . [12], Goessler et al [43], Farah et al [42] and the recent work by Taylor et al [57] are the only randomized trials to date to report both clinic and ambulatory BP measurements. Ambulatory measurements, especially nighttime measurements, provide a better approach to the risk estimation compared with office measurements and until ambulatory findings have been confirmed in a larger study population, the true value of IRT as a therapy for hypertension will remain unclear.…”

Feasibility Study To Assess The Delivery of A Novel Isometric Exercise Intervention For People With Stage 1 Hypertension In The NHS: Protocol For The Isofit-BP Study Including Amendments To Mitigate The Risk of COVID-19 

“…Meta-analyses indicate that isometric exercise (IE) results in larger reductions in BP when compared with either aerobic and dynamic resistance exercise training (11) and has great potential to treat hypertension (17), improve patient health and reduce mortality risk. We have shown that IE can lower BP in people with both normal (18) and high-normal (pre-hypertensive) (19) BP and therefore has the potential to be an effective lifestyle intervention for hypertension. IE involves holding a xed position for a period of time; skeletal muscles are used but there is no movement, e.g.…”

“…1). Moreover, only 24 minutes of isometric wall squat exercise a week are required to achieve reductions in BP of 12/6 mmHg in pre-hypertensives, which can be easily carried out at home without the need for costly equipment (19).…”

Validity and reliability of the ‘Isometric Exercise Scale’ (IES) for measuring ratings of perceived exertion during continuous isometric exercise

“…Exercise has been recommended as a non-pharmacological lifestyle modification for the treatment of hypertension 2 . Isometric exercise training (IET) interventions have been shown to be an effective and time efficient methodology to reduce resting 3 – 6 and ambulatory blood pressure 6 .…”

“…One such intervention, is the use of the isometric wall squat, where intensity is controlled by manipulation of the knee joint angle 13 . A 4-week home based isometric wall squat intervention, with exercise intensity derived from a maximal isometric wall squat test 6 , 14 , was shown to produce significant reductions in resting 6 , 15 and ambulatory arterial BP 6 . While these methods of training are more accessible than previous iterations, the ability to accurately monitor exercise intensity without laboratory testing and the use of additional equipment could help to further promote uptake of this type of IE intervention.…”