Isometric Exercise Training and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health Indicators in Prehypertensive Individuals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i4.1810Keywords:
cardiovascular health indicators, isometric exercise training, nitric oxide, rate pressure product, resting blood pressureAbstract
Hypertension is a chronic condition marked by consistently elevated blood pressure, defined as ≥130/80 mmHg by the ACC/AHA. It is a major global health issue contributing to cardiovascular disease and mortality. As of 2021, the WHO reported 1.28 billion cases worldwide. Current strategies for managing hypertension emphasize lifestyle interventions alongside pharmacological treatments. Isometric exercise training has gained attention due to its potential in reducing blood pressure and improving vascular health. This study aims to evaluate the physiological mechanisms underlying isometric exercise training’s impact on cardiovascular health indicators, focusing on NO production, BP, and RPP. This article was constructed using a literature review methodology. Scientific articles were sourced from PLoS ONE, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Articles published within the last 5 years were included to ensure the review's relevance and accuracy, resulting in 53 included studies. Isometric exercise training involves muscle contractions without changing muscle length or joint movement. It strengthens muscles, improves endurance and joint stability by activating type I and II fibers, enhancing neuromuscular coordination. This training triggers cardiovascular and musculoskeletal adaptations, such as nitric oxide release from hypoxia and shear stress, and activates the parasympathetic system to lower blood pressure. It reduces resting blood pressure, afterload, and rate pressure product, improving cardiac efficiency. Movements like wallsquats engage major lower limb muscles, with deeper knee flexion increasing force and stimulating endothelial NO production. Isometric exercise training is a low-risk, effective intervention that improves cardiovascular health and reduces blood pressure, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological approach for hypertension management.
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