In the Sport and Exercise Science Department, we are conducting research on the health benefits of exercise regimes that don’t require much time or effort. In this study we are investigating the effects of a type of exercise called isometric handgrip training in people with high blood pressure.
What is isometric handgrip training? (IHGT)
Isometric handgrip training is a time-efficient (10 mins per session!) and low-intensity type of exercise that has been shown to lower blood pressure. Each session involves squeezing a device with your hand (equivalent to carrying a shopping bag) for a couple of minutes, resting for a couple of minutes, and repeating this four times. In this study, we want to know how many times a week you need to do this type of exercise to get the most benefit.
Who can volunteer?
You can volunteer for the study if you:
- Are aged 18-65 years
- Currently have higher than normal systolic blood pressure (≥130 mmHg) and/or a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure
- Are not currently doing a high amount of regular exercise
- Are not currently taking more than two medications for your blood pressure
What is involved?
- Participants will be asked to come to the Sport and Exercise Science Laboratories at Swansea University Bay Campus in the morning so we can take measurements of your resting blood pressure and vascular health.
- We will also ask you to wear a blood pressure monitor for the next 24 hours while you go about your normal daily activities.
- Participants will then be randomised into one of three study groups that will complete either 0 (control), 2 or 4 sessions of isometric handgrip exercise each week for 6 weeks.
- The first exercise session will be performed in the laboratory, afterwards all subsequent exercise sessions will be performed at the participant’s home/office and will be supervised over Zoom.
- Three days after the last exercise session, we will ask you to come back to the laboratory for the same measurements of resting blood pressure, vascular health, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure.
- On completion of the study, you will be provided with a small payment (a £50 voucher of your choice) as a thank you for your time and effort.
Contact details
If you are interested and would like more information on the study, please contact Mr. Lewis Coward by email 2350601@Swansea.ac.uk