Blood Pressure Following Isometric Exercise in Inactive Adults
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Isometric Exercise Training (IET), Expectation-Enhancing Informational Framing.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Hypertension, Elevated Blood Pressure, Sedentary Lifestlye. Basic parameters: 18 years — 55 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United Kingdom
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Beliefs and Expectation Effects on Blood Pressure Following Isometric Exercise in Inactive Adults
Overview
This study investigates how isometric exercise training (IET) affects blood pressure in physically inactive adults. Isometric exercise involves sustained muscle contractions without movement-for example, pushing against a fixed object. Previous research has shown that IET may help reduce blood pressure, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to assess both the immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) effects of IET on cardiovascular outcomes. Participants will complete a series of lab-based exercise sessions over several weeks. In these sessions, they will perform repeated bouts of isometric leg extensions while seated on an exercise machine designed to measure muscle force. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor participants' blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle activity. Acute responses-such as post-exercise hypotension (a short-term drop in blood pressure)-will be measured immediately after exercise. Chronic changes, such as resting blood pressure improvements, will be evaluated across the training period. Additional measurements will include heart rate variability (HRV), which gives insight into autonomic nervous system activity, and electromyography (EMG), which tracks muscle fatigue and activation patterns. These data will help explore potential mechanisms behind the cardiovascular benefits of IET. By examining how repeated sessions of isometric exercise influence blood pressure and related physiological responses, this research may support the use of IET as a non-pharmacological strategy for managing or preventing hypertension in physically inactive individuals.
Interventions
- Behavioral Isometric Exercise Training (IET)
Participants perform four repetitions of 90 degree bilateral isometric leg extensions on a dynamometer at 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Each contraction is held for 2 minutes, with 2-minute rest intervals between bouts. Sessions are performed three times per week for four weeks. This behavioral intervention is designed to investigate the acute and chronic effects of isometric exercise on blood pressure, heart rate variability, and muscle fatigue. - Behavioral Expectation-Enhancing Informational Framing
Participants receive a brief standardized presentation highlighting isometric exercise as an evidence-based intervention for lowering blood pressure. The presentation includes statements designed to enhance outcome expectations based on prior literature and expert framing.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in Resting Systolic Blood Pressure [Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (approximately 4 weeks)]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure [Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (approximately 4 weeks)]
- Post-Exercise Hypotension Response [Time frame: During the first week of the exercise intervention. Sessions 1, 2 and 3.]
- Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) [Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (approximately 4 weeks)]
- Change in Muscle Fatigue Markers (EMG) [Time frame: Baseline to Post-Intervention (Approximately 4 weeks)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age 18 years or older
- Self-reported physically inactive or insufficiently active (not meeting current physical activity guidelines)
- Not currently engaged in structured resistance or isometric exercise training
- Able to attend lab sessions over a 4-week period
- Provides written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Current diagnosis of hypertension requiring medication
- Any known cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal condition contraindicating isometric exercise
- Formal education or professional background in exercise science, physiology, or a related field
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period
- Inability to follow verbal instructions or complete study protocols
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
United Kingdom · 1 center
- Canterbury Christ Church University — Canterbury
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06937164 · ETH2223-0326