Effect of Isometric Hand Grip (IHG) Exercise Training on Cardiovascular and Echocardiographic Parameters among Pre-hypertensive Young Males

To evaluate the effect of IHG training of 5 weeks on cardiovascular and echocardiographic parameters among prehypertensive young males.

30 prehypertensive males of age group 24.00 ± 2.38 years were included in the study. They were asked to perform IHG exercise for a period of 5 weeks. Cardiovascular parameters were recorded at the start, during the training and at the end of the training, while the echocardiographic parameters were recorded before and at the end of training.

Significant decrease observed in SBP, DBP, MAP, HR, RPP (rate pressure product) both at rest and at 2min of IHG exercise. Heart rate recovery at 1min increased significantly after the training. Echocardiography showed increment in interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction; and significant decrement in left ventricular end systolic diameter and volume.

IHG training resulted in improvement of cardiovascular parameters and positive cardiac morphological and functional adaptation, resulting decrease in cardiovascular stress, both at rest and during exercise.