POSTURE AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL: ENHANCING BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATION THROUGH ISOMETRIC HANDGRIP AND DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v6.i1.2025.3967Keywords:
Hypertension, Isometric Handgrip, Deep Breathing, Posture, Blood PressureAbstract [English]
This study investigates the impact of different postures on the effectiveness of isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise and deep breathing (DB) techniques in managing mild hypertension among women. A total of 120 mildly hypertensive women aged 40-60 years were randomly assigned to four groups: IHG in sitting position, IHG in standing position, DB in sitting position, and DB in standing position. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken before and after 8 weeks of intervention. Results showed that both IHG and DB exercises led to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic BP, with the standing posture enhancing the effects for both techniques. The findings suggest that incorporating specific postures into IHG and DB exercises may optimize their antihypertensive effects in mildly hypertensive women.
References
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Hypertension. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
Forouzanfar, M. H., Liu, P., Roth, G. A., Ng, M., Biryukov, S., Marczak, L., ... & Murray, C. J. (2017). Global burden of hypertension and systolic blood pressure of at least 110 to 115 mm Hg, 1990-2015. JAMA, 317(2), 165-182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.19043
Cornelissen, V. A., & Smart, N. A. (2013). Exercise training for blood pressure: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2(1), e004473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.112.004473
Carlson, D. J., Dieberg, G., Hess, N. C., Millar, P. J., & Smart, N. A. (2014). Isometric exercise training for blood pressure management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 89(3), 327-334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.10.030
Zou, Y., Zhao, X., Hou, Y. Y., Liu, T., Wu, Q., Huang, Y. H., & Wang, X. H. (2017). Meta-analysis of effects of voluntary slow breathing exercises for control of heart rate and blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The American Journal of Cardiology, 120(1), 148-153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.03.247
Kelley, G. A., & Kelley, K. S. (2010). Isometric handgrip exercise and resting blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Hypertension, 28(3), 411-418. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0b013e3283357d16
Lin, G., Xiang, Q., Fu, X., Wang, S., Wang, S., Chen, S., ... & Wang, T. (2012). Heart rate variability biofeedback decreases blood pressure in prehypertensive subjects by improving autonomic function and baroreflex. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(2), 143-152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0607
Watanabe, N., Reece, J., & Polus, B. I. (2007). Effects of body position on autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function in young, healthy adults. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 15(1), 19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-19
Stiller-Moldovan, C., Kenno, K., & McGowan, C. L. (2012). Effects of isometric handgrip training on blood pressure (resting and 24 h ambulatory) and heart rate variability in medicated hypertensive patients. Blood Pressure Monitoring, 17(2), 55-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MBP.0b013e32835136fa
Pickering, T. G., Hall, J. E., Appel, L. J., Falkner, B. E., Graves, J., Hill, M. N., ... & Roccella, E. J. (2005). Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals: Part 1: blood pressure measurement in humans: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research. Hypertension, 45(1), 142-161. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000150859.47929.8e
Inder, J. D., Carlson, D. J., Dieberg, G., McFarlane, J. R., Hess, N. C., & Smart, N. A. (2016). Isometric exercise training for blood pressure management: a systematic review and meta-analysis to optimize benefit. Hypertension Research, 39(2), 88-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hr.2015.111
Millar, P. J., McGowan, C. L., Cornelissen, V. A., Araujo, C. G., & Swaine, I. L. (2014). Evidence for the role of isometric exercise training in reducing blood pressure: potential mechanisms and future directions. Sports Medicine, 44(3), 345-356. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0118-x
Yuenyongchaiwat, K., Changsri, K., Harnmanop, S., Namdaeng, P., Aiemthaisong, M., Pongpanit, K., & Pariyatkaraphan, T. (2024). Effects of slow breathing training on hemodynamic changes, cardiac autonomic function and neuroendocrine response in people with high blood pressure: A randomized control trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 37, 136-141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.11.042
Gerritsen, R. J., & Band, G. P. (2018). Breath of life: the respiratory vagal stimulation model of contemplative activity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 397. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397
Jones, C. U., Sangthong, B., & Pachirat, O. (2015). An inspiratory load enhances the antihypertensive effects of home-based training with slow deep breathing: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 61(1), 48-53.
Farah, B. Q., Germano-Soares, A. H., Rodrigues, S. L., Santos, C. X., Barbosa, S. S., Vianna, L. C., ... & Ritti-Dias, R. M. (2017). Acute and chronic effects of isometric handgrip exercise on cardiovascular variables in hypertensive patients: a systematic review. Sports, 5(3), 55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5030055
Ferrari, R., Cadore, E. L., Perico, B., & Kothe, G. B. (2021). Acute effects of body-weight resistance exercises on blood pressure and glycemia in middle-aged adults with hypertension. Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 43(1), 63-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10641963.2020.1806293
Brook, R. D., Appel, L. J., Rubenfire, M., Ogedegbe, G., Bisognano, J. D., Elliott, W. J., ... & Rajagopalan, S. (2013). Beyond medications and diet: alternative approaches to lowering blood pressure: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension, 61(6), 1360-1383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0b013e318293645f
Martínez-Rodríguez, A., Martínez-Olcina, M., Hernández-García, M., Rubio-Arias, J. Á., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., & Garcíz-de-Frutos, J. M. (2021). Cardiovascular health benefits of specific non-pharmacological interventions in hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 13(11), 3897.
Whelton, P. K., Carey, R. M., Aronow, W. S., Casey, D. E., Collins, K. J., Himmelfarb, C. D., ... & Wright, J. T. (2018). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 71(19), e127-e248 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000076
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Arajit Das, Dr. Dinesh Singh Yadav, Dr. Archana Agarwal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author.
It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
