Wall Squat Exercise Research Articles

Breaking up Sitting Time With Isometric Wall Squat Exercise During Occupational Activities: A Feasibility Randomized Trial.

The aim of to analyze the feasibility of isometric wall squat exercise (IWSE) over a 12-week period as a method of breaking up sitting time during occupational activities in sedentary adults. This feasibility randomized study involved sedentary adults. Participants in the IWSE group ( n = 12) performed isometric wall squats, while participants in the STAND group ( n = 12) were recommended to stand up for 12 weeks. Feasibility was assessed through online questionnaires in the eighth week regarding adherence, safety, satisfaction, and acceptability. Adherence to weekly breaks was similar between groups ( P > 0.05). No serious side effects have been reported in the groups. Dropout rates (IWSE: 40% vs STAND: 40%, P = 1.000), satisfaction (IWSE +3.4 [1.2] vs STAND +3.0 [1.7], P = 0.709), and intention to continue with the intervention (IWSE: 75% vs STAND: 83%, P = 0.368) were similar between groups. The IWSE is as feasible as stand up as a strategy to breaking up sedentary time in workplace.

Acute Effects of Breaking up Sitting Time With Isometric Wall Squat Exercise on Vascular Function and Blood Pressure in Sedentary Adults: Randomized Crossover Trial.

The World Health Organization has recommended breaking up sitting time to improve cardiovascular health. However, whether isometric exercise can be effectively used as a strategy to break up sitting time remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of breaking up prolonged sitting with isometric wall squat exercise (IWSE) on vascular function and blood pressure (BP) in sedentary adults. This randomized crossover trial included 17 adults (53% male, 26±6yr, 22.4±3.6 kg/m 2 ) with high sedentary behavior (≥ 6hr/d). The participants completed 2 experimental sessions in a randomized order, both sharing a common sitting period of 180min: Breaks (2-min breaks were incorporated into the IWSE, with participants maintaining their knees at the angle determined by the incremental test, which occurred every 30min) and Control (sitting for 180min continuously). Popliteal artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and brachial BP were measured before and at 10 and 30min after the experimental sessions. The results did not indicate significant session vs time interaction effects on popliteal FMD and brachial BP ( P >.05). A subanalysis including only participants with popliteal FMD reduction after the Control session (n=11) revealed that Breaks enhanced popliteal FMD after 10min (1.38±6.45% vs -4.87±2.95%, P =.002) and 30min (-0.43±2.48% vs -2.11±5.22%, P =.047). Breaking up prolonged sitting with IWSE mitigates impaired vascular function resulting from prolonged sitting but has no effect on BP in sedentary adults.

Effect of Forefoot–Rearfoot and Pelvic–Scapular Weight Shifts on Lower-Limb and Lumbar Muscle Activity during Static Wall-Squat Exercises

(1) Background: The static body-weight wall-squat (SBWS) exercise is often included in the early rehabilitation stages of the lower limb. To establish its effectiveness and optimise its application, it is important to precisely quantify the muscle contribution to different versions of this exercise. (2) Methods: We analysed the electromyographic activity of lower limb and lumbar muscles during the SBWS with knees flexed at 45° by manipulating three different variables: horizontal distance of the ankles from the wall; scapular or pelvic location of the centre of pressure Cwall of the force exerted by the wall on the back; rearfoot or forefoot location of the centre of pressure CGR of the ground reaction force. (3) Results: The forefoot-to-rearfoot CGR shift significantly increased the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior activity up to 23%, 26%, and 44% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The lumbar muscle activity was maximised (23% MVIC) shifting CGR at the forefoot, Cwall at the scapular zone, and placing the feet far from the wall. (4) Conclusions: These SBWS methods might be effective for quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and lumbar muscles strengthening in the early phase of rehabilitation intervention as soon as the patient can tolerate partial weight-bearing. The exercise appears suitable for patients with low back pain and limited lumbar muscle endurance, or quadriceps weakness and inhibition secondary to a knee injury.

Acute cardiac autonomic and haemodynamic responses to leg and arm isometric exercise.

Acute cardiovascular responses following a single session of isometric exercise (IE) have been shown to predict chronic adaptations in blood pressure (BP) regulation. It was hypothesised that exercises which recruit more muscle mass induce greater reductions in BP compared to exercises using smaller muscle mass. To test this hypothesis, the current study aimed to compare the acute haemodynamic and autonomic responses to a single session of isometric wall squat (IWS) and isometric handgrip (IHG) training. Twenty-six sedentary participants performed a single IWS and IHG session in a randomised cross-over design, with training composed of 4 × 2-min contractions, with 2-min rest, at 95 HRpeak and 30% MVC respectively. Haemodynamic and cardiac autonomic variables were recorded pre, during, immediately post, and 1-h post-exercise, with the change from baseline for each variable used for comparative analysis. During IWS exercise, there was a significantly greater increase in systolic BP (P < 0.001), diastolic BP (P < 0.001), mean BP (P < 0.001), heart rate (P < 0.001), and cardiac output (P < 0.001), and a contrasting decrease in baroreflex effectiveness index (BEI) and cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity (cBRS). In the 10-min recovery period following IWS exercise, there was a significantly greater reduction in systolic BP (P = 0.005), diastolic BP (P = 0.006), mean BP (P = 0.003), total peripheral resistance (TPR) (P < 0.001), BEI (P = 0.003), and power spectral density (PSD-RRI) (P < 0.001). There were no differences in any variables between conditions 1-h post exercise. Isometric wall squat exercise involving larger muscle mass is associated with a significantly greater post-exercise hypotensive response during a 10-min recovery window compared to smaller muscle mass IHG exercise. The significantly greater reduction in TPR may be an important mechanism for the differences in BP response.

Effects of the ankle angle on the electromyographic activity of the trunk and lower extremities during isometric squat exercises

Background: Life in modern society has become convenient, but the lack of exercise due to a sedentary lifestyle has led to muscle weakness. The quadriceps femoris is essential for walking, standing, and using stairs in daily life. Muscle weakness can lead directly to impaired function. Squatting is the most representative exercise for effective muscle development and increasing the knee extensor strength. This study examined the effects of ankle angle during wall squats on the muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), rectus abdominis (RA), and erector spinae (ES) to determine which ankle angle can better strengthen the vastus medialis oblique as a method of rehabilitation training after a knee joint injury. Methods: All subjects (n = 20) performed the following three types of wall squats randomly: (1) GWS (General Wall Squat), (2) WSD 10° (Wall Squat with dorsiflexion 10°), and (3) WSP 10° (Wall Squat with plantarflexion 10°). Each subject completed all three kinds of wall squatting exercises three different times, and the muscle activity data of the VMO, VL, RF, BL, RA, and ES were recorded. Results: Compared to GWS exercise, the VMO and RF muscle activity increased significantly under WSP 10° exercise (p &lt; 0.05), whereas the VL, BF, RA, and ES activity did not increase significantly (p &gt; 0.05). No significant change between WSD 10° and WSP 10° was observed (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: WSP 10° can help increase the quadriceps muscle activity. Wall squat exercise with different ankle angles can be used for quadriceps muscle strengthening training for normal people and for recovery training for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) patients in the rehabilitation stage.

Hypoalgesia after exercises with painful vs. non-painful muscles in healthy subjects – a randomized cross-over study

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a decrease in the pain sensitivity after exercise. Individuals with chronic pain show less EIH after one exercise session compared with pain-free individuals possibly due to pain in exercising muscles. The primary aim of this randomized controlled cross-over study was to compare the EIH response at the exercising thigh muscle following exercises performed with painful vs. non-painful muscles. Secondary aims were to explore if a reduced EIH response was confined to the painful muscle, and whether the muscle pain intensity and the EIH responses were negatively associated. In two sessions, 34 pain-free participants received a painful (hypertonic saline, 5.8%) injection and a control (isotonic saline, 0.9%) injection in the right thigh muscle before performing a 3min isometric wall squat exercise. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at both thighs and the left neck/shoulder at baseline, after injections and after exercise. Pain intensities in the thighs were rated on numerical rating scales (NRS: 0-10). Hypertonic saline induced moderate thigh pain at rest (NRS: 4.6±2.1) compared to the control injection (NRS: 0.3±0.4; p<0.001). EIH at the thighs and neck/shoulder were not different between sessions (Injected thigh: 0kPa; 95% CI:-51 to 52; Contralateral thigh:-6kPa; 95% CI:-42 to 30; neck/shoulder: 19kPa; 95% CI:-6 to 44). No significant associations between pain intensity ratings immediately after the Painful injection and EIH responses at any assessment sites were found (right thigh: β=0.08, 95% CI:-12.95 to 20.64, p=0.64, left thigh: β=-0.33, 95% CI:-27.86 to 0.44, p=0.06; neck/shoulder: β=-0.18, 95% CI:-15.11 to 4.96, p=0.31). Pain in the area of an exercising muscle did not reduce local or systemic EIH responses. NCT04354948.

Feasibility study to assess the delivery of a novel isometric exercise intervention for people with stage 1 hypertension in the NHS: protocol for the IsoFIT-BP study including amendments to mitigate the risk of COVID-19

BackgroundHypertension (HTN) affects approximately 25% of the UK population and is a leading cause of mortality. Associated annual health care costs run into billions. National treatment guidance includes initial lifestyle advice, followed by anti-hypertensive medication if blood pressure (BP) remains high. However, adoption and adherence to recommended exercise guidelines, dietary advice and anti-hypertensive medication is poor. Four short bouts of isometric exercise (IE) performed 3 days per week (d/wk) at home elicits clinically significant reductions in BP in those with normal to high-normal BP. This study will determine the feasibility of delivering personalised IE to patients with stage 1 hypertension for whom lifestyle changes would be recommended before medication within NHS primary care.MethodsThis is a randomised controlled feasibility study. Participants were 18+ years, with stage 1 hypertension, not on anti-hypertensive medication and without significant medical contraindications. Trial arms will be standard lifestyle advice (control) or isometric wall squat exercise and standard lifestyle advice. Primary outcomes include the feasibility of healthcare professionals to deliver isometric exercise prescriptions in a primary care NHS setting and estimation of the variance of change in systolic BP. Secondary outcomes include accuracy of protocol delivery, execution of and adherence to protocol, recruitment rate, attrition, perception of intervention viability, cost, participant experience and accuracy of home BP. The study will last 18 months. Sample size of 100 participants (50 per arm) allows for 20% attrition and 6.5% incomplete data, based upon 74 (37 each arm) participants (two-sided 95% confidence interval, width of 1.33 and standard deviation of 4) completing 4 weeks. Ethical approval IRAS ID is 274676.DiscussionBefore the efficacy of this novel intervention to treat stage 1 hypertension can be investigated in any large randomised controlled trial, it is necessary to ascertain if it can be delivered and carried out in a NHS primary care setting. Findings could support IE viability as a prophylactic/alternative treatment option.Trial registrationISRCTN13472393, registered 18 August 2020

Pain and executive function: no association between remote exercise-induced hypoalgesia and cognitive inhibition in pain-free participants.

Cognitive inhibition, which denotes the ability to suppress predominant or automatic responses, has been associated with lower pain sensitivity and larger conditioned pain modulation in humans. Studies exploring the association between cognitive inhibition and other pain inhibitory phenomena, like exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), are scarce. The primary aim was to explore the association between cognitive inhibition and EIH at exercising (local) and non-exercising (remote) muscles after isometric exercise. The secondary aim was to explore the association between cognitive inhibition and pressure pain sensitivity. Sixty-six pain-free participants (28.3±8.9 years old, 34 women) completed two cognitive inhibition tasks (stop-signal task and Stroop Colour-Word task), a 3-min isometric wall squat exercise, and a quiet rest control condition with pre- and post-assessments of manual pressure pain thresholds at a local (thigh) and a remote site (shoulder). In addition, cuff pressure pain thresholds, pain tolerance and temporal summation of pain were assessed at baseline. No association was found between remote EIH and cognitive inhibition (Stroop interference score: r=0.12, [-0.15; 0.37], p=0.405, BF01=6.70; stop-signal reaction time: r=-0.08, [-0.32; 0.17], p=0.524, BF01=8.32). Unexpectedly, individuals with worse performance on the Stroop task, as indicated by a higher Stroop interference score, showed higher local EIH (r=0.33; [0.10; 0.53], p=0.007, BF01=0.29). No associations were observed between pain sensitivity and any of the cognitive inhibition performance parameters. The present findings do not support previous evidence on positive associations between exercise-induced hypoalgesia and cognitive inhibition, as well as baseline pain sensitivity and cognitive inhibition.

Green Exercise: Can Nature Video Benefit Isometric Exercise?

Green exercise is the combination of physical activity and nature exposure, which has been associated with positive effects on psychophysiological health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nature video viewing on isometric exercise and find a useful practice for green exercise in urban living. In the current study, 18 male subjects were recruited in a randomized crossover trial and underwent a sequence of wall squat exercises. The whole experiment contained three periods of baseline (before exercise), exercise, and recovery (after exercise), and each period lasted for 2 min. A video of forest walking was played in the exercise and recovery periods as treatment, while a black screen was set as control. The Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) and Feeling Scale (FS) were employed to measure perceived exertion and affective responses in the exercise period; heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) including the standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the standard deviations of the Poincaré plot (SD1), were recorded in the three periods. Heart rate recovery (HRR) in the recovery period was further calculated based on 30 s and 60 s time frames. Results demonstrated that during the exercise period nature video viewing was associated with better affective responses (median of 1.00 and an interquartile (IQR) of 2.00, p = 0.017), lower perceived exertion (median = 6.00, IQR = 2.00, p = 0.021), and lower HR (median = 89.60, IQR = 20.94, p = 0.01), but the differences in HRV indices between the experimental settings were not statistically significant. In the recovery period, significantly higher values of RMSSD (median = 34.88, IQR = 24.52, p = 0.004), SD1 (median = 24.75, IQR = 17.41, p = 0.003), and HR (median = 84.18, IQR = 16.58, p = 0.001) were observed in the treatment setting, whereas no statistically significant difference was found for HRR. In general, our findings support that nature video viewing may help reduce perceived exertion, increase exercise pleasure, buffer heart rate, and improve cardiac autonomic recovery for wall squat exercising, which implies the potential of nature-based stimuli in green exercise. However, due to the limited research sample, further study may need to include female participants and focus on various populations to confirm the effectiveness of using virtual and environments depicting nature at home or in public exercise places to promote positive exercise experience.

Effects of Altering Foot Position on Quadriceps Femoris Activation during Wall Squat Exercises

Effects of Altering Foot Position on Quadriceps Femoris Activation during Wall Squat Exercises

Validity and reliability of RPE as a measure of intensity during isometric wall squat exercise

Isometric exercise (IE), including wall squat training, has been shown to be effective at reducing resting blood pressure (BP). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is also widely used as an accessible additional measure of IE intensity. Despite this, no RPE scales have been specifically designed for use with IE and it is not clear whether RPE is sensitive enough to distinguish between different lower limb IE workloads. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess the validity and reliability of RPE as a measure of IE intensity (workload) and physiological exertion (Heart rate and BP), and to examine whether RPE is able to discern differences in wall squat workload (knee angle) at a resolution of 10-degrees, as was previous shown for heart rate (HR) and BP. Twenty-nine male participants completed eight separate isometric wall squat testing sessions, separated by a minimum of 5-h. Each session consisted of a single 2-min isometric wall squat test, at one of five randomized workloads (knee joint angles). Three of the knee angles were repeated, a second time, to allow measurements of reliability. Throughout the exercise protocol, HR and BP were recorded continuously; values for each 30-s time-point were calculated as the mean of the proceeding 5-s, and peak values for the 2-min bout were taken as the mean results for the final 5-s of the bout. In addition, mean results for the full 2-min period were calculated. RPE was collected every 30 s. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating RPE results with the criterion measures: Knee joint angle, HR, and BP. Differences in RPE were assessed across consecutive workloads and time-points. There were significant increases in RPE at each consecutive wall squat workload (P<0.001) and between each consecutive 30-s time point (P<0.001). In addition, the RPE results produced a significant inverse relationship with knee angle (r=-0.79; P<0.001) and significant positive relationships with HR (r=0.53, P<0.001) and BP (systolic: r=0.77; diastolic: r=0.62; and mean arterial pressure: r=0.70, P<0.001). RPE provides a valid and reliable measure of isometric wall squat intensity, physiological exertion and can discern between knee angles with a resolution of 10°. Patients and practitioners implementing isometric exercise training for arterial blood pressure reduction can use RPE to accurately monitor the intensity of the exercise and the physiological responses.

The Effects of Modified Wall Squat Exercise after Sacro­Iliac Joint Mobilization on Balance in Normal Adults

The Effects of Modified Wall Squat Exercise after Sacro­Iliac Joint Mobilization on Balance in Normal Adults

Power of Words: Influence of Preexercise Information on Hypoalgesia after Exercise—Randomized Controlled Trial

Exercise increases pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in pain-free individuals, known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Positive preexercise information can elicit higher EIH responses, but the effect of positive versus negative preexercise information on EIH is unknown. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare EIH at the exercising thigh muscle after an isometric squat exercise between individuals receiving positive versus negative preexercise information about the effect of exercise on pain. Secondary aims were to compare EIH at nonexercising muscles between groups, and to investigate the relationship between participants' expectations and EIH. Eighty-three participants were randomly assigned to brief positive (n = 28), neutral (n = 28) or negative (n = 27) verbal information. The neutral information group was included in the study as a reference group. Pressure pain thresholds at the thigh and trapezius muscles were assessed before and after the intervention (i.e., preexercise information+squat exercise). Expectations of pain relief were assessed using a numerical rating scale (-10 [most negative] to 10 [most positive]). Change in quadriceps and trapezius PPT after the squat exercise showed a large difference between the positive and negative information groups (quadriceps, 102 kPa; 95% confidence interval, 55-150; effect size, 1.2; trapezius, 41 kPa; 95% confidence interval, 16-65; effect size:, 0.9). The positive information group had a 22% increase in quadriceps PPT whereas the negative information group had a 4% decrease. A positive correlation was found between expectations and increase in PPT. Negative preexercise information caused hyperalgesia after the wall squat exercise, whereas positive or neutral preexercise information caused hypoalgesia. Positive preexercise information did not change the magnitude of EIH compared with neutral information.

Joint Torques and Tibiofemoral Joint Reaction Force in the Bodyweight “Wall Squat” Therapeutic Exercise

This study provides a biomechanical analysis of the bodyweight wall-squat exercise considering four exercise variants: knee angle; horizontal hip-ankle distance (d); shift between the rearfoot and forefoot of the centre of pressure (xGR) of the ground reaction force; back supported via the scapular or pelvic zone. The ankle and hip angles corresponding to a given knee angle can be modulated, changing the distance d, to manage limitation in lumbopelvic and ankle mobility. The knee-extensor muscles can be overloaded (250 Nm muscle torque) with knees flexed at 90°, back supported through the pelvic zone, and feet away from the wall (d = 50 cm). Scapular support, xGR at forefoot, and d = 50 cm, yield a higher level of muscle-torque for hip-extension (130 Nm) and knee-flexion (65 Nm), with knees at 90° of flexion or near full extension, respectively. Ankle-dorsiflexion (plantarflexion) muscle torque up to 40 Nm is reached with xGR at the forefoot (rearfoot). This study may aid trainers and therapists to finely modulate the muscle torques (up to the above-mentioned levels) by an appropriate selection of exercise variants for training or rehabilitation purposes. Low levels (60 N) of anterior tibial pull may occur near 25° of knee flexion with x GR at the rearfoot.

The effects of enhanced abdominal activation on quadriceps muscle activity levels during selected unilateral lower extremity exercises.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Abdominal Enhancement (AE) on the muscle activation of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscle activation levels during eccentric, isometric and concentric phases of single leg raise (SLR), single leg wall squat (SLWS) and forward lunge (FL) exercises. Sixteen healthy individuals (Age: 24.6±1.7years) were included in the study. Internal Obliques/Transversus Abdominis (IO/TA), VMO, RF and VL muscle activation levels were measured by surface EMG during the exercises in two conditions: with and without AE. The abdominal drawing-in technique was used for AE. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis. With AE, the average of IO/TA muscle activation level was 28.9%. VMO and VL muscle activation levels were significantly greater with AE during SLR (p=.02), SLWS (p<.001) and FL (VMO, p=.008, VL, p=.04) exercises. The effect of AE on VMO muscle activation level ranged from 2.5% to 5% (Effect size range: 0.54 to 0.91) and VL muscle activation level ranged from 2.1% to 5.5% (Effect size range: 0.35-1.24). RF muscle activation level did not change with AE (p>.05). The results of this study showed that AE increased VMO and VL muscle activities during SLR, SLWS and FL exercises but the corresponding changes were small. Even if this is not enough for muscle strengthening, exercises with AE may be used to enhance knee joint stability while controlling lumbopelvic stability.

Relationship Between Lower Extremity Extensor Strength and Wall Squat Performance

Background: The wall squat exercise has been recommended for strengthening of the lower extremity muscles with maintaining lumbar lordosis. Although squat has been studied to be related to lower extremity extensor strength, the relationship between wall squat and lower extremity extensor strength unclear. Because squat and wall squat are biomechanically different, study on the relationship is needed.Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the lower extremity extensor strength associated with wall squat performance.Methods: 74 healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this study. The volunteers were measured hip and knee extensors strength and then performed wall squat exercise for maximum count.Results: We found significant relationships between wall squat performance and hip extensor strength normalized by body weight, knee extensor strength normalized by body weight and the composite value. In a regression analysis, hip extensor strength normalized by body weight explained 29% of the variation in wall squat performance in males and 35% in females.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that hip extensor strength normalized by body weight is critical to wall squat performance in both sexes.

Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia After Isometric Wall Squat Exercise: A Test-Retest Reliabilty Study.

Isometric exercises decrease pressure pain sensitivity in exercising and nonexercising muscles known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). No studies have assessed the test-retest reliability of EIH after isometric exercise. This study investigated the EIH on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) after an isometric wall squat exercise. The relative and absolute test-retest reliability of the PPT as a test stimulus and the EIH response in exercising and nonexercising muscles were calculated. In two identical sessions, PPTs of the thigh and shoulder were assessed before and after three minutes of quiet rest and three minutes of wall squat exercise, respectively, in 35 healthy subjects. The relative test-retest reliability of PPT and EIH was determined using analysis of variance models, Person's r, and intraclass correlations (ICCs). The absolute test-retest reliability of EIH was determined based on PPT standard error of measurements and Cohen's kappa for agreement between sessions. Squat increased PPTs of exercising and nonexercising muscles by 16.8% ± 16.9% and 6.7% ± 12.9%, respectively (P < 0.001), with no significant differences between sessions. PPTs within and between sessions showed moderately strong correlations (r ≥ 0.74) and excellent (ICC ≥ 0.84) within-session (rest) and between-session test-retest reliability. EIH responses of exercising and nonexercising muscles showed no systematic errors between sessions; however, the relative test-retest reliability was low (ICCs = 0.03-0.43), and agreement in EIH responders and nonresponders between sessions was not significant (κ < 0.13, P > 0.43). A wall squat exercise increased PPTs compared with quiet rest; however, the relative and absolute reliability of the EIH response was poor. Future research is warranted to investigate the reliability of EIH in clinical pain populations.

Effect of General Squat and Wall Squat Exercises on the Muscle Activity of the Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis

Effect of General Squat and Wall Squat Exercises on the Muscle Activity of the Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis

Exercise induced hypoalgesia is elicited by isometric, but not aerobic exercise in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorders

Background and aimsReduced pain sensitivity following exercise is termed exercise induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Preliminary evidence suggests that impairment of EIH is evident in individuals with whiplash associated disorders (WAD) following submaximal aerobic exercise. This study aimed to compare EIH responses to isometric and aerobic exercise in patients with chronic WAD and healthy controls and investigate relationships between EIH, conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and psychological factors in patients with chronic WAD. MethodsA cross sectional pre-post study investigated the effect of a single session of submaximal aerobic cycling exercise and a single session of isometric timed wall squat exercise on EIH in a group of participants with chronic WAD (n=21) and a group of asymptomatic control participants (n=19). Bivariate analyses between EIH and baseline measures of CPM and psychological features (fear of movement, pain catastrophization and posttraumatic stress symptoms) were also investigated. ResultsThe isometric wall squat exercise but not the aerobic cycling exercise resulted in EIH in both groups (P<.023) with no between-group differences (P>.55) demonstrated for either exercise. There were no significant associations measured between EIH (for either exercise performed), and CPM, or any of the psychological variables. ConclusionsThis study showed that individuals with chronic WAD and mild to moderate pain and disability, and no evidence of dysfunctional CPM, demonstrated reduced pain sensitivity, both in the cervical spine and over the tibialis anterior following an isometric, timed wall squat exercise. Cycling exercise did not increase pain sensitivity. ImplicationsIndividuals with chronic WAD and mild to moderate levels of neck pain and disability may experience less pain sensitivity both locally and remotely following an exercise program directed at non-painful muscles performing isometric exercises. Individuals cycling for 30min at 75% of age-predicted heart rate maximum do not experience increased pain sensitivity.

Home-based isometric exercise training induced reductions resting blood pressure.

Isometric exercise training (IET) reduces resting blood pressure (BP). Most previous protocols impose exercise barriers which undermine its effectiveness as a potential physical therapy for altering BP. An inexpensive, home-based programme would promote IET as a valuable tool in the fight against hypertension. The aims of this study were: (a) to investigate whether home-based wall squat training could successfully reduce resting BP and (b) to explore the physiological variables that might mediate a change in resting BP. Twenty-eight healthy normotensive males were randomly assigned to a control and a 4week home-based IET intervention using a crossover design with a 4week 'washout' period in-between. Wall squat training was completed 3×weekly over 4weeks with 48h between sessions. Each session comprised 4×2min bouts of wall squat exercise performed at a participant-specific knee joint angle relative to a target HR of 95% HRpeak, with 2min rest between bouts. Resting heart rate, BP, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and stroke volume were taken at baseline and post each condition. Resting BP (systolic -4±5, diastolic -3±3 and mean arterial -3±3mmHg), cardiac output (-0.54±0.66Lmin-1) and heart rate (-5±7beatsmin-1) were all reduced following IET, with no change in total peripheral resistance or stroke volume compared to the control. These findings suggest that the wall squat provides an effective method for reducing resting BP in the home resulting primarily from a reduction in resting heart rate.