The impact of isometric handgrip exercise and training on health‐related factors: A review

Abstract

Isometric handgrip exercise has been suggested to promote some health‐related factors (e.g., lowering blood pressure). However, there is a need to evaluate whether this type of exercise can be included as an option to elicit these health‐related outcomes. The purpose of the article was to systematically review the acute and chronic effects of isometric handgrip exercise on resting blood pressure, pain sensation, cognitive function and blood lipids and lipoproteins. A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 89 studies met our inclusion criteria. Most randomized controlled trials (17/26) reported reductions in resting blood pressure (mostly systolic blood pressure) following isometric handgrip training. There were inconsistent results in isometric handgrip exercise‐induced hypotension (i.e., acute response). There was convincing evidence observed in randomized controlled trials (4/6) for isometric handgrip exercise‐induced hypoalgesia. Some randomized controlled trials (2/2) supported an improvement in memory performance, but not interference control (0/2), after a session of isometric handgrip exercise. None of the included studies found any effects of isometric handgrip training on blood lipids and lipoproteins. Isometric handgrip exercise appears to be an effective method to improve certain health‐related factors. The acute reductions in pain and blood pressure may share a similar central mechanism. However, training‐induced reductions in resting blood pressure may be driven by changes in the periphery. Additional work is needed to better understand if (and to what extent) isometric handgrip exercise (or training) influences cognitive function and blood lipids and lipoproteins.

Resistance Exercise Minimal Dose Strategies for Increasing Muscle Strength in the General Population: an Overview

“…Grip strength correlates with mortality [ 90 – 92 ] and ability to perform activities of daily living [ 93 – 96 ]. Moreover, one review concluded that isometric hand grip exercise, which is often minimal in its prescription, reduces resting systolic blood pressure and induces hypoalgesia [ 97 ]. Also, the ability to perform such exercise on consecutive days could lessen injury recovery times.…”

Minimalist Training: Is Lower Dosage or Intensity Resistance Training Effective to Improve Physical Fitness? A Narrative Review

“…Seniors can again benefit, as RT can contribute to improved cognitive function and memory performance. Apparently healthy individuals and individuals with psychological symptoms can experience increased feelings of well-being, self-efficacy, and reductions in schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders with RT [ 10 , 11 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…In addition to the highly cited benefits of RT for muscle strength, hypertrophy, and endurance [3][4][5][6][7], the health benefits of RT are now well established. RT has been positively associated with reducing cardiovascular risk factors such as reductions in blood lipids (i.e., total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and triglycerides), blood pressure, obesity, and glucose intolerance [8][9][10][11][12]. These RTinduced responses result in fewer reported incidences of diabetes, stroke, cancer, dementia, arthritis, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary disorders [8-10, 13, 14].…”

Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations

“…To our best knowledge, one review study has summarized the association between IHE and health-related outcomes, which included cognition as an outcome ( Yamada et al, 2022 ). However, the conclusion on the effects of IHE on cognitive function was rather preliminary; the majority of included studies focused on the simultaneous episodic memory when performing IHE contractions, and only one pilot study investigated the training effect of IHE on cognitive function in that review.…”