Blood Pressure Following Isometric Exercise in Inactive Adults

NCT ID: NCT06937164

Last Updated: 2025-05-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

36 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-21

Study Completion Date

2025-09-30

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Hypertension Elevated Blood Pressure Sedentary Lifestlye

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants are randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: (1) isometric exercise training (IET) with neutral information, (2) IET with expectation-enhancing information, or (3) a no-intervention control group. Intervention groups complete repeated isometric leg extension sessions across multiple visits. Prior to training, participants receive distinct information to influence their beliefs about IET. The control group does not receive training or information. Participants are blinded to group assignment, and outcomes such as blood pressure, heart rate variability, and muscle fatigue are assessed independently across groups.
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
Participants are blinded to group assignment. They are not informed whether they are receiving neutral or expectation-enhancing information, or whether they are in a control group. Due to the nature of the study, the researcher is not blinded.

Study Groups

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Neutral Information + Isometric Exercise

Participants in this group complete repeated isometric exercise training sessions. Prior to training, they receive a neutral informational presentation about isometric exercise, which does not mention blood pressure or cardiovascular benefits. The exercise consists of bilateral isometric leg extensions on a dynamometer. Cardiovascular and neuromuscular outcomes, including blood pressure, heart rate variability, and muscle fatigue, are monitored throughout the intervention period.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Isometric Exercise Training (IET)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

Expectation-Enhancing Info + Isometric Exercise

Participants in this group complete repeated isometric exercise training sessions. Prior to training, they receive an expectation-enhancing informational presentation that emphasizes the effectiveness of isometric exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention for reducing blood pressure. The exercise consists of bilateral isometric leg extensions on a dynamometer. Blood pressure, heart rate variability, and muscle activity are assessed to determine physiological responses to the intervention.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Isometric Exercise Training (IET)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

Expectation-Enhancing Informational Framing

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

No-Intervention Control

Participants in this group do not receive any intervention or educational presentation. They attend study visits for assessment purposes only. Measurements include resting blood pressure, heart rate variability, and muscle activity, allowing for comparison with the intervention groups to evaluate the effects of isometric exercise training.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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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.

Intervention Type 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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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Static Strength Training Leg Extension Hold Training

Eligibility Criteria

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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
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

55 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Canterbury Christ Church University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Sean Machak

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Canterbury Christ Church University

Locations

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Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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Sean Machak

Role: CONTACT

+447864658805

Philip Hurst

Role: CONTACT

+44 (0)1227 927700 ext. 1466

Facility Contacts

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Sean Machak

Role: primary

+447864658805

Other Identifiers

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ETH2223-0326

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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