EFFECT OF GENDER ON ACUTE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO ISOMETRIC HANDGRIP EXERCISE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the acute cardiovascular responses of healthy young males and females to isometric exercise. In the present study forty healthy normotensive volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups. Subjects in group I and group II included males and females in age group of 20-40 yrs respectively. All the subjects performed IHG exercise. Their HR, BP and QT interval were recorded prior to exercise and after one minute of 40% maximum voluntary contraction of the forearm. Measured QT interval was then corrected for heart rate using Bazett’s formula. All the recordings were compared within groups and between groups before and after exercise. Results were analyzed using software STATA 10.At rest we found consistently higher level of SBP (0.000) in males whereas females had higher resting HR (0.003) and prolonged QT interval (0.026). We found no significant difference in DBP. Isometric handgrip exercise induced a higher increase in BP (0.001) in males & greater HR (0.004) response in females which could be because of variation in resting values. Along with these findings QTc interval which is seen to shorten with resistance exercise, showed greater shortening in the females. Our study indicates that the pressor response is well regulated in both sexes. Since cardiovascular response to exercise is major criterion in exercise prescription, resistance exercise can be added as a part of regular physical activity program having lot of favorable effects. These positive effects are seen in both sexes with added advantage for the females, clearing some of the misconceptions about women and resistance exercise.