Source
Departments of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
This study examined the effects of isometric handgrip training on resting arterial blood pressure, heart rate variability, and blood pressure variability in older adults with hypertension.
METHODS:
Nine subjects performed four 2-min isometric handgrip contractions at 30% of the maximum voluntary contraction force, 3 d.wk(-1) for 10 wk, and eight subjects served as controls.
RESULTS:
After training, there was a significant reduction in resting systolic pressure and mean arterial pressure. In addition, power spectral analysis of heart rate variability demonstrated that the low frequency: high frequency area ratio tended to decrease.
CONCLUSIONS:
It is concluded that isometric training at a moderate intensity elicits a hypotensive response and a simultaneous increase in vagal modulation in older adults with hypertension.