Gender differences in cardiovascular response to upper extremities isometric exercise in normotensive young subjects

Abstract

Background: Isometric exercises are a part of our activities and many occupational task. Isometric exercises produce a characteristic increase in blood pressure (BP). These provide pressor stimuli to the cardiovascular system, through efferent sympathetic pathways, with a resultant increase in heart rate (HR) and BP. Although isometric exercise such as handgrip testing has been reported to cause an increase in cardiovascular parameters, the response depends on the volume of muscle mass involved, duration, intensity, number of contraction, and workload. Previously a number of studies have been done to study the gender variation in cardiovascular response to upper extremities handgrip exercises but have shown conflicting results. Hence, this study is an endeavor to evaluate the difference in cardiovascular response to isometric exercise in normotensive young males and females. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the HR and BP response to isometric exercise in healthy normotensive males and females. Materials and Methods: One hundred medical students; 50 males and 50 females of age group 18–22 years satisfying the inclusion criteria were selected. Anthropometric measurements, that is, height and weight were taken. Resting BPs systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were recorded. Isometric contraction was held till 60 s using the handgrip dynamometer at 40% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Post-exercise HR and BP were recorded and compared. Results: Isometric handgrip exercise induces a pressor response and causes an increase in the HR and BPs irrespective of gender. Conclusion: This study concludes that isometric exercise brings about an increase in HR and BP. The response being more pronounced in males than in females.