Acute Effect of Isometric Exercise on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Acute Effect of Isometric Physical Exercise on Blood Pressure in Patients With Controlled Hypertension

International recommendations advocate dynamic or isometric strength training as an adjunct to aerobic exercise. Due to a lack of consensus, this research addresses the acute effects of isometric exercises by handgrip or lower limb isometry as a hypotensive strategy in hypertensive adults.

This study is characterized as a randomized, controlled and blinded clinical trial for the evaluators and carried out integrally in the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LIC) of the Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul / University Foundation of Cardiology (ICFUC). The project follows all recommendations proposed by the CONSORT Statement. The study will consist of individuals of both genders, aged between 40 and 70 years who have blood pressure above 120mmhg by 80mhg. The participants, after signing the informed consent, answered a questionnaire that will evaluate the habitual level of physical activity and will be submitted to isometric exercises of palmar grip or quadriceps muscle. Pre- and post-exercise blood pressure will be monitored through the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) method.

Isometric session with handgrip: 4 sets of 2 minutes of contractions sustained at 30% of CVM, for each arm. The time between sets and between arms will be 1 minute rest.

Isometric session for lower limbs: 4 series with 2 minutes of contractions sustained at 30% of 1RM. The rest interval will be 1 minute.

Isometric session with handgrip: 4 sets of 2 minutes of contractions sustained at 30% of CVM, for each arm. The time between sets and between arms will be 1 minute rest.

Isometric session for lower limbs: 4 sets with 2 minutes of contractions sustained at 30% of 1RM. The rest interval will be 1 minute rest.

Blood pressure will be evaluated by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) over 24h. For that, a Dyna-Map® branded instrument will be used, which will measure blood pressure on rest condition and another measure after the exercise session (totaling 48 horas), in all participants of the two study groups.

Inclusion Criteria: Controlled hypertensive patients (use of medication) sedentary or physically inactive Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant women; Unstable angina; Class II, III or IV heart failure; Recent cardiovascular event (last 3 months); Chronic renal insufficiency; Diabetes; History of malignant diseases with life expectancy <2 years; Or Orthopedic limitations or any physical or mental limitation that impedes the performance of physical exercises.