Abstract
Objective
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis quantifying the effects of isometric
resistance training on the change in systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood
pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure in subclinical populations and to examine
whether the magnitude of change in SBP and DBP was different with respect to blood
pressure classification.
Patients and Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
lasting 4 or more weeks that investigated the effects of isometric exercise on blood
pressure in healthy adults (aged ≥18 years) and were published in a peer-reviewed
journal. PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were
searched for trials reported between January 1, 1966, and July 31, 2013. We included
9 randomized trials, 6 of which studied normotensive participants and 3 that studied
hypertensive patients, that included a total of 223 participants (127 who underwent
exercise training and 96 controls).
Results
The following reductions were observed after isometric exercise training: SBP—mean
difference (MD), −6.77 mm Hg (95% CI, −7.93 to −5.62 mm Hg; P<.001); DBP—MD, −3.96 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.80 to −3.12 mm Hg; P<.001); and mean arterial pressure—MD, −3.94 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.73 to −3.16 mm Hg;
P<.001). A slight reduction in resting heart rate was also observed (MD, −0.79 beats/min;
95% CI, −1.23 to −0.36 beats/min; P=.003).
Conclusion
Isometric resistance training lowers SBP, DBP, and mean arterial pressure. The magnitude
of effect is larger than that previously reported in dynamic aerobic or resistance
training. Our data suggest that this form of training has the potential to produce
significant and clinically meaningful blood pressure reductions and could serve as
an adjunctive exercise modality.
Abbreviations and Acronyms:
BP (blood pressure), DBP (diastolic BP), MAP (mean arterial pressure), MD (mean difference), PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), RHR (resting heart rate), SBP (systolic BP)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article Info
Footnotes
Potential Competing Interests: Dr Millar has received (2010-2012) speaking and travel honoraria from Zona Health.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
