The Optimal Dosage of Isometric Handgrip Exercise for Blood Pressure Reduction: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
= 90%), with greater effects observed in hypertensive compared to normotensive groups. For meta-regression, lower training intensity protocols (<30% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) yield smaller blood pressure-lowering effects in both SBP (p = 0.043) and DBP (p = 0.032). Higher weekly frequency (e.g., >3 to 7 days/week) was associated with a diminished effect in SBP (p = 0.032). In conclusion, the IHG training significantly lowers SBP and DBP in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals, offering preventive benefits for normotensive individuals at risk for hypertension and therapeutic potential for hypertensive patients. The evidence-informed protocol might appear to be four sets of 2-min unilateral contractions at ≥30 MVIC, performed ≤3 times per week for a minimum of 8 weeks. These findings support IHG as a practical non-pharmacological strategy for blood pressure management. Registration: PROSPERO number: CRD420251154235.
Authors
- Ian Jun
- Cheng‐Feng Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2466-0156)
- Lingyue Meng
- Yih‐Kuen Jan
- Chia‐Wei Lin
- Amir Babaniamansour
- Vincent Igbo
Institutions
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- National Cheng Kung University (TW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Hypertension
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.70246
- Primary Topic
- Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00