To Compare the Effects of Adding Handheld and Ankle Weights During Treadmill Walking on Blood Pressure and Rate of Perceived Exertion in Normal Healthy Adults: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Context: Walking is the most commonly reported activity which requires no special facilities and is achievable by all groups with little injury risk. Nowadays, adding weights to different locations while walking is popular in general fitness and rehabilitation programs, which again increases energy expenditure as well as oxygen consumption in a shorter quantity of time. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of adding handheld and ankle weights during treadmill walking on blood pressure and rate of perceived exertion in normal healthy adults. Settings and Design: The experimental study took place in the laboratory and was designed to be carried on for three sessions to measure the changes in blood pressure and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) while walking with and without weight. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-three participants who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited to perform the exercise session with handheld and ankle and without weights and it consisted of 8 min of exercise testing with and without weights for two sessions. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical test data were screened for normal distribution by Shapiro–Wilk test. Data were normally distributed for the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and RPE. Hence, parametric tests were applied for SBP, DBP, and RPE within-session and between-session analysis. Within-session analysis was done by paired t-test and between-session analysis was done by unpaired t-test. Results: Intra-session analysis by paired t-test in both sessions shows statistically significant changes in SBP and RPE (P < 0.05). Moreover, DBP was found significant while using handheld weights compared to no weights. While inter-session analysis by unpaired t-test showed significant changes in DBP compared to that of SBP, RPE using handheld weights during treadmill walking. Conclusions: Study shows addition of handheld weights proves to be more effective in adults who cannot run, or do not like to run, or are limited in walking speed, and may benefit from the addition of hand-held weight (HHW) and ankle weight (AW).