13. Cardiovascular Alteration after Unilateral Isometric Handgrip Exercise at Two Different Intensities in Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular alteration to a unilateral isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) at two different intensities can be determined by examining parameters such as heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after IHG. Objective: The study aims to understand the immediate cardiovascular alteration of IHG and to determine the exercise for improving cardiovascular health and athletic performance by examining heart rate and blood pressure. Methodology: A purposive sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) University of Benin undergraduate students; 19 males and 11 females were selected using random sampling. Each participant performed four sets of a two-minute unilateral IHG with a one-minute rest between sets at 30% and 50% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) on their dominant hand. Results: An IHG on systolic blood pressure showed a significant (p = 0.01 < 0.05) difference when done at an intensity of 50% MVC. However, at an intensity of 30% MVC, systolic blood pressure showed no immediate alterations.  For the diastolic blood pressure, between 30% and 50% MVC (1.83±6.89 mmHg) all showed no meaningful clinical alterations following  IHG, the heart rate between 30% and 50% MVC (0.13±6.33 bpm) all showed no meaningful clinical alterations following an immediate  IHG. Conclusion: Immediate cardiovascular alteration to systolic blood pressure can only occur at 50% MVC of IHG; 30% and 50% MVC of IHG produces no cardiovascular alteration to diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. An IHG at 50% MVC might be an effective intensity for improving cardiovascular fitness and athletic performance.