Isometric handgrip training study: Answering the urgent call for black populations
Dr. Paula van Wyk
University of Windsor
FUNDER: Equally Human Kinetics, Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI)
DURATION: 2023-2024
The World Health Organization recognizes hypertension (HTN) as a silent killer and a global health crisis. Although HTN is a public health concern across all racial and ethnic groups worldwide, a higher risk of HTN-related morbidity and mortality remains especially pertinent among individuals of Black descent. Isometric handgrip training (IHGT) has recently gained support as a safe, simple, easily adoptable, time efficient, and effective exercise-based approach to lowering blood pressure (BP), and thus, preventing and treating HTN. Prior to promoting IHGT to Black individuals, it is essential to determine the perspectives of participants regarding their willingness to engage in IHGT as treatment for HTN as well as to test the benefits among Black individuals.
By gaining foundational knowledge regarding IHGT exercise among individuals who identify as Black, the question of accessibility and affordability of this HTN treatment modality for Black individuals can be settled. Future studies will analyze the BP-lowering effectiveness and safety of IHGT in underserved populations in "real work" clincal settings globally.
