Isometric Handgrip Exercise for Blood Pressure Management

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this project is to conduct a randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of performing isometric exercise using a handgrip dynamometer on blood pressure.

Detailed Description
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Recent meta-analyses suggest isometric resistance training (IRT) may be superior to aerobic exercise for lowering blood pressure. A randomised controlled study will be conducted with participants who are either pre-hypertensive, blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90, or on medication to control their blood pressure. Previous studies have utilised a sedentary control so we intend to use a sham group to determine if it can be used as a working control for future studies.

Official Title
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Isometric Handgrip Exercise for Blood Pressure Management. A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Hypertension

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Isometric resistance training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Those within the required age limits, both normotensive, pre-hypertensive, and those medicated for blood pressure management. Exclusion Criteria: Younger than 30 years and older than 70 years; those deemed not to have the capacity to voluntarily participate, unable to participate under their doctor's recommendation, or with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome who may aggravate their condition with handgrip exercise.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 30 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Sham Comparator: IHG 5% Hypertensive<br>Participants who are either un-medicated pre-hypertensive or medicated for blood pressure management conducting isometric resistance training using a hand dynamometer at 5% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Participants with perform 4 x 2 minutes isometric handgrip exercises 3 times per week under supervision for 8 weeks. | Other: Isometric resistance training<br>* Isometric exercise using a hand dynamometer.<br>|
| Experimental: IHG 30% Hypertensive<br>Participants who are either un-medicated pre-hypertensive or medicated for blood pressure management conducting isometric resistance training using a hand dynamometer at 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Participants with perform 4 x 2 minutes isometric handgrip exercises 3 times per week under supervision for 8 weeks. | Other: Isometric resistance training<br>* Isometric exercise using a hand dynamometer.<br>|
| Experimental: IHG 30% Normotensive<br>Participants who are normotensive conducting isometric resistance training using a hand dynamometer at 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Participants with perform 4 x 2 minutes isometric handgrip exercises 3 times per week under supervision for 8 weeks. | Other: Isometric resistance training<br>* Isometric exercise using a hand dynamometer.<br>|
| Sham Comparator: IHG 5% Normotensive<br>Participants who are normotensive conducting isometric resistance training using a hand dynamometer at 5% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Participants with perform 4 x 2 minutes isometric handgrip exercises 3 times per week under supervision for 8 weeks. | Other: Isometric resistance training<br>* Isometric exercise using a hand dynamometer.<br>|
| Experimental: IHG 10% Hypertensive<br>Participants who are either un-medicated pre-hypertensive or medicated for blood pressure management conducting isometric resistance training using a hand dynamometer at 10% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Participants with perform 4 x 2 minutes isometric handgrip exercises 3 times per week under supervision for 8 weeks. | Other: Isometric resistance training<br>* Isometric exercise using a hand dynamometer.<br>|
| Experimental: IHG 10% Normotensive<br>Participants who are normotensive conducting isometric resistance training using a hand dynamometer at 10% of their maximum voluntary contraction. Participants with perform 4 x 2 minutes isometric handgrip exercises 3 times per week under supervision for 8 weeks. | Other: Isometric resistance training<br>* Isometric exercise using a hand dynamometer.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure |  | Baseline and 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compare and contrast changes in blood pressure between the 5% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and 30% MVC hypertensive groups |  | Baseline and 8 weeks | 
| Compare and contrast blood pressure changes between the 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) hypertensive and 30% MVC normotensive groups |  | Baseline and 8 weeks |