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Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

bjsm.bmj.com

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Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eat less, move more, make sure you sleep.

Sleeping is actually not easy. I reserve 9 hours in bed, but I snore and wake up very tired, also insomnia and therefore it’s a feedback loop to open the phone in bed otherwise I ruminate (potentially suicidal) thoughts… I bet less than half the population is able to sleep properly while laying in bed (and yes, I’ve heard all the advice about sleep habits and seeing someone). Once you fix sleep, you become much more…

I see your comment about intrusive thoughts. Don't hesitate to speak to a doctor about them and take medication for it.

I put off doing that for almost two decades, when I finally did after an attempt it really changed my life around.

I'm now on a maintenance dose of trazodone, and thought I've went off of it a few times, I think I'll stay on it for good now. It keeps future episodes away and it does wonder for your sleep. I'd agonize over the days event's for an hour or so after going to bed, but it really helps me fall asleep in 15-20 minutes.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#22

Ben Greenfield, who is regarded as somewhat of a quack, has for a long time advocated for isometric exercise. I always found him interesting so I followed his blog for a while. I always thought the stuff about isometric exercise was bunk, but if the study is sound, then I guess I was too quick to judge. This is potentially great news for him and his brand.

Dr. Stuart McGill (PHD, written multiple books about back health), strongly promotes isometric exercises for back health.

However at the end of the day stability only gets you so far, since we are always moving, so it really makes sense to combine isometric exercises with other ones to get a robust exercise plan for whatever goals each person has.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#23
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is combined training?

[flagged]

Ok, since we asked you not to post like this and you've continued to do it a lot, I think we have to ban the account.

I hate to ban an account with a vim command in its profile, but unfortunately moderation is about the worst things a user does, not the best things.

If you don't want to be banned, you're welcome to email hn@ycombinator.com and give us reason to believe that you'll follow the rules in the future. They're here: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#24

"isometric handgrip (IHG), isometric leg extension (ILE) and isometric wall squat (IWS) as IET subgroups. IET programmes commonly employ protocols of 4×2 min contractions, separated by 1–4 min rest intervals, performed three times a week. IHG" It sounds like the three isometric exercises evaluated in these studies were wall sits, leg extensions, and handgrips. Does anyone know how this study would go if these exercis…

Some options that spring to mind for a more "serious" full-body isometric workout:

* Suitcase holds

* Pull-up holds

* Standing in a power rack with heavy barbell on back

* Bench press holds at the bottom (pressing just hard enough to keep weight off the chest)

* Overhead holds

Quite a few plank-variation-type options from the yoga world as well.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#25
post #16
post #9

To save time on reading here is the key finding on the decrease of blood pressure from various exercises. aerobic exercise training (−4.49/–2.53 mm Hg) dynamic resistance training (–4.55/–3.04 mm Hg) combined training (–6.04/–2.54 mm Hg) high-intensity interval training (–4.08/–2.50 mm Hg) isometric exercise training (–8.24/–4.00 mm Hg) Here’s a link on what isometric exercise is. https://www.healthline.com/health/fi…

What is combined training?

Right, it's not mentioned what that is in the article.

On first search, something you do with your horse. I don't have a horse.

This site says

>Combination Training is an integrated form of training that combines lower body, upper body, trunk musculature and balance training all into one exercise, accomplishing three times as much training in the same amount of time.

https://nwpersonaltraining.com/blog/combination-training/

I think something like those Billy Blanks Tae Bo videos would fit the bill.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#26
post #24

"isometric handgrip (IHG), isometric leg extension (ILE) and isometric wall squat (IWS) as IET subgroups. IET programmes commonly employ protocols of 4×2 min contractions, separated by 1–4 min rest intervals, performed three times a week. IHG" It sounds like the three isometric exercises evaluated in these studies were wall sits, leg extensions, and handgrips. Does anyone know how this study would go if these exercis…

Some options that spring to mind for a more "serious" full-body isometric workout: * Suitcase holds * Pull-up holds * Standing in a power rack with heavy barbell on back * Bench press holds at the bottom (pressing just hard enough to keep weight off the chest) * Overhead holds Quite a few plank-variation-type options from the yoga world as well.

It’s more of a hybrid exercise but “pause squats”, in which you hold the weight at the bottom position before coming back up are a very good variation of a standard squat.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#27
post #16
post #9

To save time on reading here is the key finding on the decrease of blood pressure from various exercises. aerobic exercise training (−4.49/–2.53 mm Hg) dynamic resistance training (–4.55/–3.04 mm Hg) combined training (–6.04/–2.54 mm Hg) high-intensity interval training (–4.08/–2.50 mm Hg) isometric exercise training (–8.24/–4.00 mm Hg) Here’s a link on what isometric exercise is. https://www.healthline.com/health/fi…

What is combined training?

BBC thinks it is "aerobic and weights"

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#28
post #9

To save time on reading here is the key finding on the decrease of blood pressure from various exercises. aerobic exercise training (−4.49/–2.53 mm Hg) dynamic resistance training (–4.55/–3.04 mm Hg) combined training (–6.04/–2.54 mm Hg) high-intensity interval training (–4.08/–2.50 mm Hg) isometric exercise training (–8.24/–4.00 mm Hg) Here’s a link on what isometric exercise is. https://www.healthline.com/health/fi…

comparison with GPT4 answering the same question:

test 1

prompt: what are the key findings on the decrease in blood pressure on various exercises?

answer: The study found significant reductions in resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) following various types of exercise training:

1. Aerobic exercise training resulted in a decrease of approximately 4.49 mm Hg in SBP and 2.53 mm Hg in DBP.

2. Dynamic resistance training led to a decrease of approximately 4.55 mm Hg in SBP and 3.04 mm Hg in DBP.

3. Combined training (a mix of different exercise types) resulted in a decrease of approximately 6.04 mm Hg in SBP and 2.54 mm Hg in DBP.

4. High-intensity interval training led to a decrease of approximately 4.08 mm Hg in SBP and 2.50 mm Hg in DBP.

5. Isometric exercise training resulted in the most significant decrease, with approximately 8.24 mm Hg in SBP and 4.00 mm Hg in DBP.

In terms of specific exercises, the isometric wall squat was found to be the most effective for reducing systolic blood pressure, and running was found to be the most effective for reducing diastolic blood pressure (Pages 1, 5, 8, 11).

test 2

prompt: you're a world-class educator who can explain any concept, no matter how esoteric or technical. what are the key findings on the decrease in blood pressure on various exercises?

answer: Sure, I'll break down the key findings from the study on how various exercises affect blood pressure:

1. *Aerobic exercise training*: This type of exercise includes activities like jogging, swimming, or cycling. The study found that aerobic exercise training can reduce systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading, indicating the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats) by an average of 4.49 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number, indicating the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats) by an average of 2.53 mm Hg.

2. *Dynamic resistance training*: This involves exercises like weight lifting where you're moving your body against some type of resistance. The study found that this type of training can reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of 4.55 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 3.04 mm Hg.

3. *Combined training*: This is a mix of different types of exercise. The study found that combined training can reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of 6.04 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 2.54 mm Hg.

4. *High-intensity interval training (HIIT)*: This involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by short periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise. The study found that HIIT can reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of 4.08 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 2.50 mm Hg.

5. *Isometric exercise training*: This involves exercises where you're holding a position and contracting your muscles without much visible movement, like planks or wall sits. The study found that isometric exercise training can reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of 8.24 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 4.00 mm Hg, making it the most effective exercise mode in this study for reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In terms of specific exercises, the study found that the isometric wall squat was the most effective for reducing systolic blood pressure, and running was the most effective for reducing diastolic blood pressure.

Remember, these are averages, and individual results can vary. It's also important to note that any exercise program should be undertaken with the advice of a healthcare professional, especially for individuals with high blood pressure or other health conditions.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#29
post #9

To save time on reading here is the key finding on the decrease of blood pressure from various exercises. aerobic exercise training (−4.49/–2.53 mm Hg) dynamic resistance training (–4.55/–3.04 mm Hg) combined training (–6.04/–2.54 mm Hg) high-intensity interval training (–4.08/–2.50 mm Hg) isometric exercise training (–8.24/–4.00 mm Hg) Here’s a link on what isometric exercise is. https://www.healthline.com/health/fi…

I wonder how much a standing desk counts as isometric exercise, or is it more a balancing exercise.

Re: Study suggests isometric exercises best for reducing blood pressure

#30

Ben Greenfield, who is regarded as somewhat of a quack, has for a long time advocated for isometric exercise. I always found him interesting so I followed his blog for a while. I always thought the stuff about isometric exercise was bunk, but if the study is sound, then I guess I was too quick to judge. This is potentially great news for him and his brand.

Dr. Stuart McGill (PHD, written multiple books about back health), strongly promotes isometric exercises for back health. However at the end of the day stability only gets you so far, since we are always moving, so it really makes sense to combine isometric exercises with other ones to get a robust exercise plan for whatever goals each person has.

Everyone at my Olympic weightlifting gym does the McGill Big 3. Great way to protect lower back.
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