title: Reductions in resting blood pressure after 4 weeks of isometric exercise training.
abstract: There is some evidence to suggest isometric training can reduce resting blood pressure in a shorter period than the typical 8 weeks, reported most commonly. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether 4 weeks of bilateral-leg isometric training can reduce resting blood pressure, and whether these changes are associated with altered cardiac output or total peripheral resistance. Thirteen participants volunteered for a 4-week crossover training study, involving three sessions per week (each session involving 4 x 2 min bilateral-leg isometric exercise). The training intensity used (95% peak HR) was equivalent to 24% MVC. In addition to blood pressure, resting heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, and total peripheral resistance were measured. Results demonstrated that bilateral-leg isometric exercise training for 4 weeks caused significant reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure. Changes were -4.9 +/- 5.8, -2.8 +/- 3.2, and -2.7 +/- 2.4 mmHg, respectively. No differences were observed in the other resting measures. In conclusion, this study has shown that it is possible to induce reductions in arterial blood pressure after 4 weeks of bilateral-leg isometric exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK. gd45@canterbury.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gavin R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Devereux
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wiles
authors.forename: Ian L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Swaine
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002302:Cardiac Output; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D055815:Young Adult