Hypertension: a handgrip trial shows lower blood pressure while awake, but not over 24 hours

Supervised training alongside medication

The researchers assigned 67 adults taking antihypertensive medication to three groups: a control group of 22 people, a handgrip group of 22 people, and a group of 23 people performing isometric knee extensions. These exercises involve producing force without joint movement.

Participants in the exercise groups completed 12 supervised sessions over four weeks. Comparing handgrip training with knee extensions allowed the researchers to examine whether engaging a larger muscle mass produced a better blood pressure outcome.

The measurements focused on ambulatory blood pressure, recorded during daily activities and sleep, rather than only in the clinic. The researchers analyzed waking periods, sleep periods, and the full 24 hours separately.

A favorable result limited to waking hours

While awake, the handgrip group had a systolic blood pressure of 121.8 mmHg, compared with 124.2 mmHg in the control group. Diastolic blood pressure was 76.3 mmHg, compared with 80.8 mmHg. These between-group differences were statistically significant.

These values do not represent each participant’s reduction from their baseline level. They describe a comparison between groups after the intervention. No significant difference was observed in average blood pressure over 24 hours or during sleep.

The knee-training group did not differ significantly from the control group. However, the direct comparison between the two exercise groups was not significant either: this trial therefore does not demonstrate that handgrip training is superior to knee extensions.

A useful signal, but not yet a long-term answer

Randomization strengthens the value of this finding, but the sample size remains small and follow-up lasted only four weeks. The study involved adults receiving treatment whose hypertension was controlled: it does not support conclusions about untreated or poorly controlled hypertension.

The finding concerns blood pressure, not a reduction in heart attacks or strokes. It does not justify replacing medication with this exercise. The available abstract does not detail adverse effects, funding, or conflicts of interest.

What we can take away

Supervised handgrip training shows a favorable signal here for blood pressure while awake, alongside medication. The lack of a difference over 24 hours and the short follow-up limit the finding’s practical implications.