CompletedInterventional

The role of exercise training frequency in long-term blood pressure control

This study investigated how often people need to do a specific exercise called isometric wall squats to help keep their blood pressure healthy. Researchers worked with adults aged 18-65 who had normal or slightly higher-than-normal blood pressure. They wanted to see if doing wall squats more or less frequently affected blood pressure levels and heart health. They also looked at whether any benefits gained from the exercise would disappear if people stopped doing it. The study aimed to provide clear information on how best to use this type of exercise for long-term blood pressure control, especially for people not yet taking medication for high blood pressure.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Canterbury Christ Church University

Enrolment target

118

Start

21 Jan 2020

Estimated completion

16 Aug 2024

Prevention of hypertension in normotensive to pre-hypertensive adults through isometric exercise training

What is this study about?

You might have heard that high blood pressure is a common health concern and can increase your risk of heart problems. This study from Canterbury Christ Church University looked at a particular exercise called the wall squat to see if it could help keep blood pressure in a healthy range. Researchers were particularly interested in how often someone needs to do this exercise to get the best results and keep their blood pressure under control.

The main idea behind the study was to understand if doing wall squats regularly could lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health. They also wanted to know if these improvements would last if people reduced how often they exercised or stopped altogether. This is important because it could help people find a practical and effective way to manage their blood pressure through exercise.

The study involved different groups of participants who varied how often they performed wall squats over a period of time. By comparing these groups, the researchers hoped to find out the most effective routine for using wall squats to help prevent high blood pressure and promote long-term heart health. The findings could potentially offer people a straightforward exercise approach to support their well-being.

Key takeaways

High blood pressure is a risk for heart disease.
Wall squats might help control blood pressure.
This study looked at how often you need to do them.
Participants were healthy adults with normal to slightly high blood pressure.
The study helped understand long-term benefits and if they vanish when exercise stops.

Who may be eligible?

This study was looking for adults between 18 and 65 years old. Participants needed to have blood pressure that was either normal or slightly higher than normal, but they couldn't be taking any medication for their blood pressure.

To be eligible, you also couldn't have any serious heart conditions, diabetes, or ongoing muscle or joint problems. The researchers also wanted people who didn't smoke and drank less than 14 units of alcohol a week. It was important that participants weren't already doing a lot of intense exercise every week.

Basically, the study was for healthy adults who weren't on blood pressure meds and wanted to explore how exercise might help manage their blood pressure.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Is your blood pressure normal or just a little high (not requiring medication)?
Do you not have serious heart conditions or other major health issues?
Are you a non-smoker?
Do you consume less than 14 units of alcohol per week?
Are you not already doing a lot of intense exercise?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you had joined this study, you would have first completed some health checks. Once accepted, you would have been put into one of five groups by chance. For the first four weeks, everyone in the exercise groups did wall squats three times a week. After that, what you did depended on your group: some continued training three, two, or one time a week, others stopped exercising completely, and one group didn't do any specific training at all throughout the study.

Your blood pressure and other heart health measurements would have been taken at the start, after four weeks, and then again after eight weeks. This overall study ran from September 2019 to March 2025 during which participants would have been involved for an 8-week period. No medication was involved.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may have offered the benefit of seeing an improvement in your blood pressure levels. The exercise itself, wall squats, is generally considered low-risk. You might have experienced some temporary muscle soreness or discomfort, similar to starting any new exercise. All the procedures were designed to be safe and suitable for people who don't usually exercise. You always had the right to withdraw from the study at any time if you wished.

Locations (1)

Canterbury Christ Church University
Approximate
Canterbury, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an isometric wall squat?

It's an exercise where you hold a squat position against a wall, as if sitting in an invisible chair, engaging your thigh muscles.

Why was the study only for people not on blood pressure medication?

The researchers wanted to see the pure effect of the exercise, without medication affecting the results.

What is 'normal to slightly raised blood pressure'?

For this study, it meant your top blood pressure number (systolic) was between 120 and 139 mmHg.

Where did the study take place?

It was held at Canterbury Christ Church University in the psychology and life sciences department.

How to find out more

Jim Wiles

jim.wiles@canterbury.ac.uk +44 (0)1227 767700 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.