Hypertension
Conditions
Brief summary
A randomized, sham-controlled intervention measuring the effects of isometric exercise training (IET) on blood pressure and cardiac autonomics. IET has been proven effective in a plethora of randomized trials, but very little research has employed a sham-controlled design. This researched involved the recruitment of 30 participants who completed a 4 week IET intervention, sham control of the IET intervention, or a non-intervention control period. Pre and post blood pressure and cardiac autonomic measures were acquired and analysed. The hypothesis of this trial was a significant effect of IET on blood pressure, with no such effects following the sham control or normal control interventions.
Interventions
A form of exercise involving static contraction against a wall, sustained for 2 minutes x4 sets per session. 3 sessions a week were required. The intensity was designed to achieve 95% of the participants maximum heart rate.
Sponsors
Canterbury Christ Church University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Participants in the sham intervention group were not aware they they were not performing the IET intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy with no significant health conditions contraindicating exercise * Over 18 years of age * Physically inactive
Exclusion criteria
* Achieving current physical activity guidelines * Abnormal resting ECG * under 18
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean BP) | At the start of the intervention (pre 4 week intervention) | Resting office blood pressure measured at brachial artery |
| Cardiac autonomics measured at HRV | At the start of the intervention (pre 4 week intervention) | LF and HF power spectral measures |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| continuous 5-minute blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean BP) | At the start of the intervention (pre 4 week intervention) | 5 minute mean of resting blood pressure measured beat-to-beat |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed