At a glance
- What the study gets you
- Access to the study treatment being tested
- Type of study
- Interventional (receives a drug or procedure)
- Time in hospital
- In-person visits at study sites — visit count not specified by the sponsor
- Drug or intervention
- Isometric Exercise Training (IET) (behavioural), Expectation-Enhancing Informational Framing (behavioural)
- How long the study runs
- Study runs about 5 months (dates as stated)
- About the drug or intervention
- Isometric Exercise Training (IET) — behavioural: Participants perform four repetitions of 90 degree bilateral isometric leg extensions on a dynamometer at 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). · Expectation-Enhancing Informational Framing — behavioural: Participants receive a brief standardized presentation highlighting isometric exercise as an evidence-based intervention for lowering blood pressure.
- Patient visit burden
- Not specified by the sponsor
- Type of study
- Testing a treatment
- Ages
- 18 Years to 55 Years
- Who
- All
- Number of participants
- 36
- Started
- 2025-04-21
- Last checked
- 2025-04
Plain English Summary
What is this study?
- • Testing a new treatment for hypertension
- • NA - 36 participants
- • This study investigates how isometric exercise training (IET) affects blood pressure in physically inactive adults
Who can take part?
- • Ages 18 Years to 55 Years
- • Diagnosed with hypertension
Where?
- • Canterbury - Canterbury Christ Church University
This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.
About This Trial
This study investigates how isometric exercise training (IET) affects blood pressure in physically inactive adults. Isometric exercise involves sustained muscle contractions without movement-for example, pushing against a fixed object. Previous research has shown that IET may help reduce blood pressure, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to assess both the immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) effects of IET on cardiovascular outcomes. Participants will complete a series of lab-based exercise sessions over several weeks. In these sessions, they will perform repeated bouts of isometric leg extensions while seated on an exercise machine designed to measure muscle force. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor participants' blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle activity. Acute responses-such as post-exercise hypotension (a short-term drop in blood pressure)-will be measured immediately after exercise. Chronic changes, such as resting blood pressure improvements, will be evaluated across the training period. Additional measurements will include heart rate variability (HRV), which gives insight into autonomic nervous system activity, and electromyography (EMG), which tracks muscle fatigue and activation patterns. These data will help explore potential mechanisms behind the cardiovascular benefits of IET. By examining how repeated sessions of isometric exercise influence blood pressure and related physiological responses, this research may support the use of IET as a non-pharmacological strategy for managing or preventing hypertension in physically inactive individuals.
How this trial compares with your answers
Answer 2 more questions to improve match
What we know so far
Still need:
- • Tell us your age for better matching
- • Tell us your sex for better matching
Preliminary match based on your answers. Full eligibility requires on-site assessment including medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. This does not guarantee enrolment.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key info
- Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
- Who can join: All genders
What the study is looking for
- ✓Age 18 years or older
- ✓Self-reported physically inactive or insufficiently active (not meeting current physical activity guidelines)
- ✓Not currently engaged in structured resistance or isometric exercise training
- ✓Able to attend lab sessions over a 4-week period
- ✓Provides written agreement to take part
Who cannot take part
- ✗Current diagnosis of hypertension requiring medication
- ✗Any known cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal condition contraindicating isometric exercise
- ✗Formal education or professional background in exercise science, physiology, or a related field
- ✗Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period
- ✗Inability to follow verbal instructions or complete study protocols
See the full criteria
Where Is This Study? (1 UK site)
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury CT1 1QU, United Kingdom
How to Get in Touch
Sean Machak
Sponsor contactCONTACT
Philip Hurst
Sponsor contactCONTACT