Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Short- to long-term isometric resistance training (IRT) can produce clinically meaningful reductions in resting blood pressure (BP) [1] but established methods are costly or require laboratory access, limiting wider application. An affordable home-based method could improve accessibility, however, there is a need to establish the efficacy, safety, and suitability prior to prescription as an alternative IRT method. The aims of this study were to determine if a novel isometric training band (ITB) can elicit cardiovascular (CV) responses (BP and heart rate [HR]) comparable with established IRT methods, and if the Category Ratio Scale (CR-10) can regulate isometric contraction intensity.
METHODS:
Fifteen healthy normotensive participants (systolic [SBP]; 120 ± 3 mmHg, diastolic [DBP]; 71 ± 6 mmHg) reported CR-10 responses (T1-min & T2-min) to a single 2-min isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Participants then completed 2-min contractions for four separate exercises using the ITB (chest fly, seated pull, seated lunge, bicep curl and tricep extension) with the aim of replicating localised sensations of exertion equivalent to the IHG contraction. Cardiovascular responses were measured following each 2-min isometric exercise with CR-10 values recorded on completion of each min. A further 15 normotensive participants (SBP; 118 ± 6 mmHg, DBP; 68 ± 7 mmHg) completed a bout of IRT (IHG, 4 x 2-min at 30% MVC; ITB, 4 x 2-min at pre-determined CR-10 values, [4, and 5 for T1-min & T2-min]) with mean CV responses compared between bouts. Repeated measures ANOVAs and pairwise comparisons were conducted to identify any significant (P RESULTS:
There was no difference in BP responses between IHG and all four ITB exercises (P >.05). CR-10 values and HR responses were comparable between IHG and three ITB exercises (P >.05) but were greater during the seated pull (T1-min, P .05) responses, although ITB elicited a greater HR response (91 ± 15.1 bpm·-1 vs. 79 ± 9.9 bpm·-1; P 0.65 and CoV CONCLUSION:
The CV demands reported during and after undertaking the novel ITB exercises are comparable with established IHG methods. Although the HR response was greater in the ITB bout, values did not exceed reported unsafe thresholds. The present study findings suggest the novel ITB, and associated protocol may serve as a versatile, cost-effective, and accessible alternative method of performing IRT.
References
[1] Hansford et al. (2021). Hypertension Research, 44:1373-1384.
Short- to long-term isometric resistance training (IRT) can produce clinically meaningful reductions in resting blood pressure (BP) [1] but established methods are costly or require laboratory access, limiting wider application. An affordable home-based method could improve accessibility, however, there is a need to establish the efficacy, safety, and suitability prior to prescription as an alternative IRT method. The aims of this study were to determine if a novel isometric training band (ITB) can elicit cardiovascular (CV) responses (BP and heart rate [HR]) comparable with established IRT methods, and if the Category Ratio Scale (CR-10) can regulate isometric contraction intensity.
METHODS:
Fifteen healthy normotensive participants (systolic [SBP]; 120 ± 3 mmHg, diastolic [DBP]; 71 ± 6 mmHg) reported CR-10 responses (T1-min & T2-min) to a single 2-min isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Participants then completed 2-min contractions for four separate exercises using the ITB (chest fly, seated pull, seated lunge, bicep curl and tricep extension) with the aim of replicating localised sensations of exertion equivalent to the IHG contraction. Cardiovascular responses were measured following each 2-min isometric exercise with CR-10 values recorded on completion of each min. A further 15 normotensive participants (SBP; 118 ± 6 mmHg, DBP; 68 ± 7 mmHg) completed a bout of IRT (IHG, 4 x 2-min at 30% MVC; ITB, 4 x 2-min at pre-determined CR-10 values, [4, and 5 for T1-min & T2-min]) with mean CV responses compared between bouts. Repeated measures ANOVAs and pairwise comparisons were conducted to identify any significant (P RESULTS:
There was no difference in BP responses between IHG and all four ITB exercises (P >.05). CR-10 values and HR responses were comparable between IHG and three ITB exercises (P >.05) but were greater during the seated pull (T1-min, P .05) responses, although ITB elicited a greater HR response (91 ± 15.1 bpm·-1 vs. 79 ± 9.9 bpm·-1; P 0.65 and CoV CONCLUSION:
The CV demands reported during and after undertaking the novel ITB exercises are comparable with established IHG methods. Although the HR response was greater in the ITB bout, values did not exceed reported unsafe thresholds. The present study findings suggest the novel ITB, and associated protocol may serve as a versatile, cost-effective, and accessible alternative method of performing IRT.
References
[1] Hansford et al. (2021). Hypertension Research, 44:1373-1384.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jul 2023 |
| Event | 28th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) - Palais des Congrès, Paris, France Duration: 5 Jul 2023 → 7 Jul 2023 https://sport-science.org/index.php/congress/ecss-paris-2023 |
Conference
| Conference | 28th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | France |
| City | Paris |
| Period | 5/07/23 → 7/07/23 |
| Internet address |