Actively Recruiting
Beliefs and Expectation Effects on Blood Pressure Following Isometric Exercise in Inactive Adults
Led by Canterbury Christ Church University · Updated on 2025-05-16
36
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
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AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating how isometric exercise training (IET) affects blood pressure and cardiovascular health in adults who are physically inactive. This study aims to understand both the immediate and long-term effects of IET, which involves sustained muscle contractions without movement, on blood pressure. The research also seeks to explore the physiological mechanisms behind these effects, such as heart rate variability and muscle fatigue. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: two groups will perform repeated isometric leg extension exercises on a dynamometer three times a week for four weeks, with one group receiving neutral information about the exercise and the other receiving an expectation-enhancing presentation about its benefits. A third group will not perform any exercise and will only attend assessment visits. The exercise sessions involve four repetitions of 2-minute contractions at 30% of maximum strength with rest periods between bouts. During the study, participants will undergo multiple measurements including resting blood pressure, heart rate variability, and electromyography to track muscle activity and fatigue. Immediate blood pressure responses after exercise will be assessed early in the intervention, while chronic changes will be evaluated after approximately four weeks. The study includes regular lab visits over the 4-week period and monitors both cardiovascular and neuromuscular outcomes to better understand the effects of isometric exercise training.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Blood Pressure Following Isometric Exercise in Inactive Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 years or older
- Self-reported physically inactive or insufficiently active
- Not currently engaged in structured resistance or isometric exercise training
- Able to attend laboratory sessions over a 4-week period
- Provides written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of hypertension requiring medication
- Known cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions that contraindicate isometric exercise
- Formal education or professional background in exercise science, physiology, or related fields
- Pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study period
- Unable to follow verbal instructions or complete study protocols
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants perform isometric exercise training sessions three times per week for four weeks. Some participants receive an informational presentation enhancing expectations about exercise benefits, while others receive neutral information or no intervention. Blood pressure, heart rate variability, and muscle activity are assessed during this period.
Approximately 12 exercise sessions with monitoring during the first week
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom, CT1 1QU
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sean Machak
P
Philip Hurst
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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