Hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise and water immersion: a randomized controlled pilot study with older women

• Published in: Journal of Physical Education and Sport 2022-10, Vol.22 (10), p.2557-2564
• Main Authors: Moreno, Gurginski Renata Neli, Garcia, Prado Alexandre Konig
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anatomy; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Communicable Diseases; Drug Therapy; Environment; Exercise; Feedback (Response); Females; Heart rate; Hemodynamics; Human Posture; Hypertension; Hypotension; Isometric exercise; Physical fitness; Statistical Analysis; Water; Womens health
• ISSN: 2247-8051; 2247-806X
• DOI: 10.7752/jpes.2022.103241

Background: Isometric handgrip exercise is known to lower resting blood pressure and is simple to perform. Furthermore, water immersion could have a positive impact on hemodynamic response. This study sought to assess whether the association between isometric handgrip exercise and water immersion could enhance these hypotensive effects. Material and Methods: Nine physically active, medicated hypertensive older women underwent two isometric handgrip exercise in different environments: water exercise and land exercise, composed of four sets of two min at 40% of maximum handgrip contraction and two min of rest intervals. They also underwent two control conditions: water control and land control. During water conditions, volunteers were immersed at the xiphoid process depth and remained in a standing posture with their arms relaxed. In the land control, participants remained in a standing posture. Heart rate and blood pressure measurements were taken before, during (heart rate only), immediately after, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after each condition. For statistical analysis, a two-way ANOVA (time × condition) and Bonferroni's post-hoc test was used (α≤0.05). Results: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure had no condition main effect or time-condition interaction, but there was a time main effect, without a hypotensive effect for any condition. Heart rate increased significantly during land exercise and decreased significantly during water control. Under water control and water exercise conditions heart rate decreased significantly compared to the pre-session moment. Discussion and Conclusions: A single session of isometric handgrip exercises neither on land nor in water resulted in a hypotensive response in medicated, physically active older women. Pharmacological treatment added to the fact that the sample participated in a water-based program, could result in lower resting BP levels, which may explain the absence of a hypotensive effect.