Handgrip Training in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Meta-analyze studies have shown that 4 sets of 2 min of isometric handgrip training (IHT)reduces blood pressure (BP), reaching 10 mmHg for systolic and diastolic 7 mmHg in hypertensive patients after few weeks. However, using this protocol it was not observed any changes in BP in patients with peripheral artery disease. However, it is unknown whether reductions in BP does not occur after isometric handgrip training employing longer and protocol of IHT with more volume. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of IHT on blood pressure of hypertensive patients with peripheral arterial disease. Will be recruited 30 patients, which will be randomized into 2 groups (15 per group), IHT and control group (CG). IHT group will hold three sessions per week with eight sets of two minutes of isometric contraction at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction and interval of two minutes between them, for 12 weeks. In the CG patients will be encouraged to increase the level of physical activity. In the pre and post-intervention, BP and cardiac autonomic modulationwill be assessed. Will be used to analyze two-factor variance for repeated measures, with group (IHT and CG) and the time (before and after 12 weeks) as factors and the post-hoc test of Newman-Keuls.

Inclusion criteria

• Women in post-menopause phase without hormone replacement therapy
• Ankle-brachial index <0.90
• Not severe obese (≥ 35kg/m2)
• Not present amputation in the limbs
• Have blood pressure levels lower than 160mmHg for systolic and 105mmHg for diastolic

Exclusion criteria

• patients will only be excluded if they make any medication changes before completing the intervention period or present any health problems that prevent physical activity.