Recent analyses suggest isometric exercise may elicit BP reductions greater than those seen with dynamic aerobic and resistance exercise. One important factor that may impact the effectiveness to lower blood pressure (BP) is the type of exercise performed. 3, 4 There is Class I, Level B evidence that 150 min weekly physical activity offers an alternative that may be used to complement anti-hypertensive medication, 5 although optimal exercise training prescription remains unclear.
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2 Both European and North American treatment guidelines for primary and secondary prevention of hypertension recommend non-pharmacological lifestyle modifications as the first line of therapy, including increasing levels of physical activity. In addition, although anti-hypertensive medications generally have minimal side-effect, they are perhaps efficacious in 50% of those prescribed treatment. In light of the prevalence of hypertension 1 the associated economic health-care costs are significant. The following reductions were observed after isometric exercise training systolic blood pressure (SBP) mean difference (MD) −5.20 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) −6.08 to −4.33, P8 weeks. We included 11 randomized trials, totaling 302 participants. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials lasting ⩾2 weeks, investigating the effects of isometric exercise on blood pressure in healthy adults (aged ⩾18 years), published in a peer-reviewed journal between 1 January 1966 to 31 January 2015. This novel method of exercise prescription should be investigated further with borderline hypertensive participants.The objective of our study was to examine the effects of isometric resistance training (IRT) on resting blood pressure in adults. Resting HR also reduced significantly (P < 0.05) with training (-5 ± 7 beats∙min-1) compared to the control period (-1 ± 4 beats∙min-1).Ĭonclusion: 4 weeks of home-based IWSE training can reduce resting BP in a simple, cost and time effective way, allowing an individual to exercise privately, in familiar surroundings and at their own convenience. After 4 weeks of IWSE training, significant reductions in resting SBP -4 ± 5, DBP -3 ± 3 and MAP -3 ± 3 mmHg were demonstrated (P < 0.01) when compared to the control period (SBP 1 ± 4, DBP 0 ± 3 and MAP 0 ± 3 mmHg). Results: During training, participants exercised at a HR of 116 ± 18 beats∙min-1 (mean ± SD). Resting BP was measured using a non-invasive hemodynamic monitor and HR was measured via ECG using a bipolar lead II configuration. BP and HR were measured 48 hours pre- and post- both conditions. The control period required participants to maintain a normal daily routine for the 4 week period. Before training, all participants performed a continuous incremental IWSE test to determine training intensity (equivalent to 95% peak heart rate (HR)). The IWSE training consisted of 3 exercise sessions per week performing 4 x 2 minute wall squat exercises in each session. After a 4 week ‘washout’ period, participants then changed to the other condition. Participants were initially randomly assigned to either an IWSE training group or a control group for a 4 week period. Methods: Thirty healthy normotensive males were examined using a crossover study design. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess whether resting BP (systolic - SBP, diastolic - DBP and mean arterial pressure - MAP) could be reduced after 4 weeks of home-based isometric wall squat exercise (IWSE) training. A home-based isometric exercise program would be cheaper and simpler to perform, and could potentially make this form of exercise more accessible to the general population. However, most training studies involve the use of expensive laboratory-based equipment to complete the training, which is ultimately neither cost nor time effective as a treatment method for hypertension. Research demonstrates that isometric exercise training can reduce resting blood pressure (BP).