Isometric Exercise: Cardiovascular Responses in Normal and Cardiac Populations

Isometric exercises is frequently performed during routine daily activities and in many occupations and sports. Cardiovascular responses to isometric exercise include a reflex pressor increase in blood pressure, which is proportional to the intensity and size of contracting muscle mass. Repeated high-intensity isometric exercise training produces left ventricular hypertrophy in athletes. Submaximum isometric exerciseis well tolerated in cardiac patients with mild impairment of left ventricular function and may be used as part of a supervised exercise training program.