Meditech ABPM-04 was used to highlight the effects of isometric resistance training on blood pressure.
It is never too late to start doing exercise. Hypertension is a global public health issue, which damages the arteries, heart, brain, and kidneys. The elderly population has a higher risk of hypertension, especially if they do not follow a physically active lifestyle.
What if pre-hypertensive subjects start to do exercises? Brazilian researchers from Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco and Universidade Nove de Julho, Sao Paolo aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body isometric resistance training (IRT) on blood pressure, strength and aerobic fitness. They also wanted to find out if the effects of whole-body isometric training compare to whole body dynamic resistance training (DRT).
In the study, twenty-nine pre-hypertensive middle-aged (between 40 and 60) male were separated into three groups: 10 people were involved in isometric resistance training, 9 in dynamic resistance training, and 10 people were part of the control group. Both exercise programs involved whole body resistance training and lasted 12 weeks. Before and after the 12-week long training period 24 hours blood pressure was assessed with Meditech ABPM-04 device.
The ABPM examination pointed out that the whole body IRT during 12 weeks reduced diastolic BP values during a 24-hour period in the daytime. Also, the mean BP values have decreased during the daytime. However, the IRT group didn't bring better result in decreasing BP values than DRT group. IRT increased strength and aerobic fitness in pre-hypertensive middle-aged subjects, even though these increases were not as effective as in the case of DRT.
Based on the results, according to the researchers, DRT is perfect for improving muscle strength and aerobic fitness, however, if the focus is to control BP, IRT can also be a good alternative.
Meditech has been developing, manufacturing and marketing ambulatory blood pressure monitors and Holter ECG devices since 1990 for promoting cardiovascular health through better drug treatment.
Meditech ABPM-05 ambulatory blood pressure monitors have been used for several hundreds of studies over the years to assess the effectiveness of antihypertension therapies.