Impact of isometric training on blood pressure: an umbrella study of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Abstract

To conduct systematic search and summarize the systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses about impact of isometric training on blood pressure. Systematic search for publications in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Epistemonikos databases for the period from January of 2017 yr. to 19 of January 2023 yr. was carried out. The search was done by keywords: isometric exercises, isometric training, blood pressure, arterial hypertension, static resistance training, handgrip test. Methodological quality of included articles was assessed using the «Assessment of methodological quality of systematic reviews» (AMSTAR-2) tool. The number of systematic reviews equal 15 was analyzed. The overall methodological quality of 15 included reviews, obtained by AMSTAR-2, revealed a very low confidence rate (critically low confidence, 10 publications) for results of systematic review and meta-analyses. In total, analysis and generalization of all results of included systematic reviews about blood pressure decrease by isometric training showed, that systolic blood pressure against the background of this method decreases on average by 6.1±2.0 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure - by 3.0±1.0 mm Hg. Authors of 15 systemic reviews, included in an umbrella study, reached a common conclusion about isometric training efficacy in secondary prevention of arterial hypertension.