Hemodynamic responses to an isometric handgrip training protocol.
BACKGROUND
In the past, isometric exercises were proscribed for heart disease. However, recent evidence suggests that an isometric handgrip training (IHT) protocol - four sets of two minutes at 30% of maximum strength - produces favorable effects on the autonomic modulation and reduces resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure.


OBJECTIVE
Aiming at obtaining support for broad clinical applicability, we quantified the main hemodynamic responses during an IHT session in patients from a supervised physical exercise program.


METHODS
Forty-one patients (36 men) underwent the IHT with measurements of heart rate (HR) and BP before, during each of the two series performed with the left arm and one minute after completion. Measurements were obtained by an electrocardiogram signal in a digital Tango + oscillometric tensiometer, previously validated for physical exercise conditions.


RESULTS
The IHT was appropriately carried out, with no clinical adverse reactions. There was a small increase in SBP and DBP levels, respectively, of 16 and 7 mmHg (p <0.05) and an even smaller increase in HR - 3 bpm - (p <0.05) when we compared the data obtained at 80 seconds of the last series with the pre-exercise


CONCLUSIONS
IHT was well tolerated by patients undergoing exercise programs, resulting in a transient and modest hemodynamic effect, without inducing rapid cardiac vagal inactivation, characteristic of dynamic and short exercises.
Clínica de Medicina do Exercício, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. cgil@cardiol.br
Claudio Gil Soares de
CG
Araújo
Carlos Vieira
CV
Duarte
Fábio de Albuquerque
Fde A
Gonçalves
Hugo Baptista de Oliveira
HB
Medeiros
Flávio Areal
FA
Lemos
André Luiz
AL
Gouvêa
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged