Acute and Chronic Effects of Combined Training on BP in Hypertensives

Summary

Dynamic strength training (DST) is widely recognized for promoting neuromuscular adaptations such as increased strength and hypertrophy. It is currently endorsed by treatment and prevention guidelines for systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) due to its significant effect on lowering blood pressure (BP). However, when comparing BP reduction values, isometric strength training (IST) stands out with greater magnitudes of BP reduction, although without the neuromuscular adaptations seen in DST. Given their similarities, a combination of these strategies through combined strength training (CST) is possible but has not yet been evaluated. The researchers hypothesized that CST may have an additive effect compared with DST and IST alone in reducing ambulatory BP. Therefore, the objective of the present thesis was to evaluate and compare the effects of CST, DST, and IST on regulatory variables of ambulatory BP in medicated middle-aged hypertensive patients. This thesis is structured in two parts: (1) a crossover study with medicated middle-aged hypertensive patients to identify autonomic, endothelial, and vascular responses related to ambulatory BP after a single session of CST, DST, and IST; and (2) a randomized clinical trial to assess the chronic effects of CST, DST, and IST on regulatory variables of ambulatory BP in medicated middle-aged hypertensive patients.

Conditions

• Dynamic Strength Exercise Session
• Isometric Strength Exercise Session
• Combined Exercise Session
• Control Session (CON)
• Dynamic Strength Training
• Combined Strength Training
• Isometric Strength Training

Interventions

OTHER

Acute Isometric Exercise Session.

Participants in this group undergo a single acute exercise session consisting of 8 resistance exercises performed isometrically. The protocol includes 3 sets per exercise, with each set consisting of a 10-second static contraction at 50% of 1RM, with 30 seconds of rest between sets and 90 seconds between exercises

OTHER

Combined strength training

Participants in this group undergo two phases. Phase 1: A single acute exercise session consisting of 8 resistance exercises (3 sets of 11 repetitions with a 10-second isometric hold at the end of each set; 1s concentric/2s eccentric phases). Phase 2: An 8-week chronic intervention period, performing the same combined protocol 3 times a week, with intensity progressing from 50% to 65% of 1RM.

OTHER

Dynamic strength training

Participants in this group go through two phases. Phase 1: A single acute exercise session consisting of 8 resistance exercises (3 sets of 14 repetitions, 1 second concentric phase and 2 seconds eccentric phase, 30 seconds of rest between sets and 90 seconds between exercises) at 50% of 1RM. Phase 2: An 8-week chronic intervention period, performing the same dynamic resistance protocol 3 times a week, with intensity progressing from 50% to 65% of 1RM.

OTHER

Control Session and Follow-up

Participants in this group undergo two phases. Phase 1: A single acute control session consisting of quiet rest in a seated position for the same duration as the exercise sessions. Phase 2: An 8-week follow-up period where participants maintain their usual daily activities and pharmacological treatment without any structured exercise program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-07-26

Primary Completion

2025-12-23

Completion

2025-12-23

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations