Resumo:
Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a multifactorial condition characterized by the
persistent elevation of blood pressure (BP), being one of the main risk factors for
cardiovascular diseases. Studies indicate that isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) may
contribute to reducing blood pressure, but there is a gap in the literature regarding its
effects on hypertensive elderly women. Objective: This study analyzed the acute effects
of IHG on BP responses and cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) in hypertensive
elderly women. Methods: The study included 12 trained hypertensive elderly women
with controlled BP, with a mean age of 67.8 ± 3.8 years. A randomized, crossover clinical
trial was conducted. Participants performed IHG at 30% and the control session (C) at
3% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) using a stress ball, in four
sets of one-minute contractions for each hand, interspersed with one-minute rest periods.
A minimum interval of 72 hours between sessions was maintained. BP and heart rate
variability (HRV) were monitored at baseline and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes post-IHG
and post-C. Results: The analysis revealed a significant effect of the time factor on
systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MAP) blood pressure (P < 0.01). Furthermore,
the time vs intervention interaction was significant for SBP (p = 0.04), with pairwise
comparisons showing that SBP in the IHG group at 30 (p = 0.04), 45 (p = 0.04) and 60 (p
= 0.01) minutes post-intervention was higher when compared to the pre moment.
Regarding HRV, it was observed that the mean HR reduced after 45 and 60 min (p <
0.01) when compared to the pre-intervention moment when IHG and C were performed,
which was accompanied by an increase in SDNN (p < 0.05) and SD2 (p < 0.05).
Intervention C also showed an increase in the short-term vagal modulation variables
RMSSD (p<0.01) and SD1 (p<0.01) at the time post 45 min when compared to pre. No
difference was reported between the interventions for the HRV variables (P > 0,05).
Conclusion: According to the results reported, IHG performed with a stress ball
increased BP in trained hypertensive elderly women with controlled BP for up to 60
minutes. Moreover, it was observed that the performed IHG did not affect the CAM of
participants.
