Effects of dynamic, isometric, and combined resistance training on ambulatory blood pressure in treated men with hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring is a widespread recommendation for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. Dynamic resistance training (DRT) and isometric handgrip training (IHT) have been recommended for hypertension treatment, but their effects on ABP have been poorly studied. Additionally, combined dynamic and isometric handgrip resistance training (CRT) could produce an additive effect that has yet to be tested. Thus, this randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of DRT, IHT and CRT on mean ABP and ABP variability. Fifty-nine treated men with hypertension were randomly allocated to 1 of four groups: DRT (8 dynamic resistance exercises, 50% of 1RM, 3 sets until moderate fatigue), IHT (4 sets of 2 min of isometric handgrip at 30% of MVC), CRT (DRT + IHT) and control (CON – 30 min of stretching). Interventions occurred 3 times/week for 10 weeks, and ABP was assessed before and after the interventions. ANOVAs and ANCOVAs adjusted for pre-intervention values were employed for analysis. Mean 24-h, awake and asleep BPs did not change in either group throughout the study (all, P > 0.05). Nocturnal BP fall as well as the standard deviation, coefficient of variation and the average real variability of ABP also did not change significantly in either group (all, P < 0.05). Changes in all these parameters adjusted to the pre-intervention values were also similar among the four groups (all, p > 0.05). In treated men with hypertension, 10 weeks of DRT, IHT or CRT does not decrease ABP levels nor change ABP variability.