Isometric HG (handgrip) training lowers resting arterial BP (blood pressure), yet the mechanisms are elusive. In the present study, we investigated improved systemic endothelial function as a mechanism of arterial BP modification following isometric HG training in normotensive individuals. This study employed a within-subject repeated measures design primarily to assess improvements in BA FMD (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation; an index of endothelium-dependent vasodilation), with the non-exercising limb acting as an internal control. Eleven subjects performed four 2-min unilateral isometric HG contractions at 30% of maximal effort, three times per week for 8 weeks. Pre-, mid- and post-training resting ABP and BA FMD (exercised arm and non-exercised arm) were measured via automated brachial oscillometry and ultrasound respectively. BA FMD (normalized to the peak shear rate experienced in response to the reactive hyperaemic stimulus) remained unchanged [exercised arm, 0.029±0.003 to 0.026±0.003 to 0.029±0.004%/s−1 (pre- to mid- to post-training respectively); non-exercised arm, 0.023±0.003 to 0.023±0.003 to 0.024±0.003%/s−1 (pre- to mid- to post-training respectively); P=0.22]. In conclusion, improved systemic endothelial function is unlikely to be responsible for lowering arterial BP in this population.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
April 2007
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Research Article|
March 01 2007
Isometric handgrip training does not improve flow-mediated dilation in subjects with normal blood pressure
Cheri L. Mcgowan;
1Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
Correspondence: Dr Cheri L. McGowan, at the present address Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 2C4 (email [email protected]).
Search for other works by this author on:
Andrew S. Levy;
Andrew S. Levy
1Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
Search for other works by this author on:
Neil Mccartney;
Neil Mccartney
1Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
Search for other works by this author on:
Maureen J. Macdonald
Maureen J. Macdonald
1Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
July 20 2006
Revision Received:
October 27 2006
Accepted:
December 01 2006
Accepted Manuscript online:
December 01 2006
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society
2007
Clin Sci (Lond) (2007) 112 (7): 403–409.
Article history
Received:
July 20 2006
Revision Received:
October 27 2006
Accepted:
December 01 2006
Accepted Manuscript online:
December 01 2006
Citation
Cheri L. Mcgowan, Andrew S. Levy, Neil Mccartney, Maureen J. Macdonald; Isometric handgrip training does not improve flow-mediated dilation in subjects with normal blood pressure. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 April 2007; 112 (7): 403–409. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20060195
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
Open Access for all
We offer compliant routes for all authors from 2025. With library support, there will be no author nor reader charges in 5 journals. Check here |
![]() |