Inactivity/Low Levels of Exercise
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the effect of isometric handgrip training on brain blood vessel function in physically inactive adults. Isometric handgrip training is a promising strategy for lowering blood pressure and improving vascular health, but no previous investigations have studied the effect of training on markers of brain blood vessel function. Based on previous work showing improvements in vascular function after isometric handgrip training, we hypothesize that isometric handgrip training will improve key markers of cerebrovascular function.
Detailed description
The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases is expected to increase. Early life sets the stage for vascular health outcomes later in life. Regular exercise is recommended for improving cerebrovascular health outcomes, but a lack of time or inadequate facilities are common exercise barriers. Not getting enough exercise is associated with worse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health outcomes. There is a critical need for time-efficient strategies that require minimal equipment for improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Isometric handgrip (IHG) training is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular health. Despite IHG's usefulness for improving vascular health through blood pressure reductions and improvements in endothelial function, almost nothing is known about IHG training and cerebrovascular function. Therefore, this project aims to test the hypothesis that 8 weeks of IHG training will improve cerebrovascular blood flow regulation and total cerebrovascular blood flow among adult humans who are not meeting the physical activity recommendations. We will measure middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) via transcranial Doppler ultrasound and assess MCAv dynamic autoregulation and MCAv reactivity to high and low carbon dioxide. We will also measure total cerebral blood flow, central artery stiffness, and MCAv pulsatility index. Understanding the effect of IHG on cerebrovascular health could inform exercise recommendations.
Interventions
DEVICEHandgrip Training
Handgrip training 3 days per week for 8 weeks
Sponsors
Florida State University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 18 to 35 years old * Body mass index ≤30 kg/m2 (without obesity) * Physically inactive (not meeting the current recommendations of ≥150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise and not ≥2 days per week of resistance training) in last 6 months * Have a smartphone and are willing to download mobile applications used in this project
Exclusion criteria
* Having an overt chronic condition (e.g., cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, etc.) * Being pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding/lactating * Regular use of nicotine products in the past 6 months * Recent head injury/trauma or concussion
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in middle cerebral artery blood velocity reactivity to hypercapnia | Up to 9 weeks | Middle cerebral artery blood velocity will be measured via transcranial Doppler ultrasound |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brachial systolic blood pressure | Up to 9 weeks | Blood pressure measured at the brachial artery |
| Change in dynamic cerebral autoregulation phase | Up to 9 weeks | Calculated from middle cerebral artery blood velocity signal using transfer function analysis |
| Change in middle cerebral artery blood velocity reactivity to hypocapnia | Up to 9 weeks | Middle cerebral artery blood velocity will be measured via transcranial Doppler ultrasound |
| Change in total resting brain blood flow | Up to 9 weeks | Total brain blood flow measured in the internal carotid and vertebral arteries at rest via ultrasound |
| Middle cerebral artery blood velocity pulsatility index | Up to 9 weeks | Calculated from middle cerebral artery blood velocity signal |
| Change in dynamic cerebral autoregulation gain | Up to 9 weeks | Calculated from middle cerebral artery blood velocity signal using transfer function analysis |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed