Neck Static Stretching Acutely Reduces Blood Pressure Through Reduction of Tissue Stiffness: A Randomized Crossover Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 25
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Blood pressure
研究概览
简要总结
Stretching is usually done to improve flexibility and joint movement. Recent research suggests that stretching may also affect the body's heart and blood vessels. For example, stretching may help lower blood pressure, reduce stress in the nervous system, and improve how flexible or stiff blood vessels are.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. It can change based on how much blood the heart pumps and how tight or relaxed the small blood vessels are. Stretching may help relax these vessels and support the parasympathetic nervous system. This system helps the body stay calm and controls functions like heart rate and blood pressure. From blood pressure values, mean arterial pressure (MAP) can be derived using a standard formula. MAP represents the average arterial pressure across the entire cardiac cycle, encompassing both systole and diastole, and is determined by cardiac output in relation to peripheral vascular resistance, the resistance within the circulatory system that sustains blood pressure, regulates blood flow, and reflects an essential component of cardiac function.
The goal of this study was to test whether a short session of static stretching of the neck can lower blood pressure and MAP in healthy subjects. The investigators also measured tissue stiffness (how firm the tissue is) and heart rate variability (a marker of how the nervous system controls the heart). These measures may help explain why blood pressure and MAP change after stretching.
This study tested the hypothesis that static neck stretching may reduce blood pressure and MAP either by decreasing tissue stiffness, thereby facilitating blood flow through reduced peripheral resistance, or by shifting autonomic balance toward enhanced parasympathetic activity. Should the findings confirm the initial hypothesis of blood pressure and MAP reductions, stretching could represent a simple, practical, and effective strategy to support blood pressure and hémodynamic monitoring.
详细描述
Participants were recruited from the student population of the University of Palermo.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Crossover
- 主要目的
- Basic Science
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 55 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •healthy male and female participants
- •≥ 18 years old
排除标准
- •orthopedic disorders
- •neurological disorders
- •metabolic disorders
- •cardovascular disorders
结局指标
主要结局
Blood pressure
时间窗: Blood pressure was measured two times in each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (when the participant arrived, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or control condition (CC) (T1).
Investigators measured blood pressure while participants were sitting. A reliable blood pressure machine was used. Participants sat and rested for 5-10 minutes to let their blood pressure settle. The cuff was placed on the bare upper arm, about 2 centimeters above the inside of the elbow, with the arm supported at heart level. During the measurement, participants were asked to sit still, stay relaxed, and not talk. Data will be shown as means with standard deviations. To compare baseline values between SS and CC, investigators will first use paired t-tests. Invesigators will then check the data distribution and apply a repeated measures analysis of variance (two conditions × two time points) to look at the effects of time and condition. In the presence of a significant time × condition interaction, post hoc analyses with Scheffé correction will be conducted to locate the differences. Effect sizes will be calculated and reported as partial eta squared (η²p).
Blood pressure
时间窗: Blood pressure was measured two times in each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (when the participant arrived, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or control condition (CC) (T1).
Investigators measured blood pressure while participants were sitting. A reliable blood pressure machine was used. Participants sat and rested for 5-10 minutes to let their blood pressure settle. The cuff was placed on the bare upper arm, about 2 centimeters above the inside of the elbow, with the arm supported at heart level. During the measurement, participants were asked to sit still, stay relaxed, and not talk. Data will be shown as means with standard deviations. To compare baseline values between SS and CC, investigators will first use paired t-tests. Invesigators will then check the data distribution and apply a repeated measures analysis of variance (two conditions × two time points) to look at the effects of time and condition. In the presence of a significant time × condition interaction, post hoc analyses with Scheffé correction will be conducted to locate the differences. Effect sizes will be calculated and reported as partial eta squared (η²p).
Mean Arterial Pressure
时间窗: MAP was obtained two times for each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (baseline, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or the control condition (CC) (T1).
MAP was extrapolated from blood pressure using the following formula: MAP = DP + 1/3(SP - DP). Data will be shown as means with standard deviations. To compare baseline values between SS and CC, investigators will first use paired t-tests. Invesigators will then check the data distribution and apply a repeated measures analysis of variance (two conditions × two time points) to look at the effects of time and condition. In the presence of a significant time × condition interaction, post hoc analyses with Scheffé correction will be conducted to locate the differences. Effect sizes will be calculated and reported as partial eta squared (η²p).
次要结局
- Tissue stiffness(Tissue stiffness was measured two times in each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (when the participant arrived, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or control condition (CC) (T1).)
- Heart rate variability and heart rate(Heart rate variabilty and heart rate were measured two times in each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (when the participant arrived, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or control condition (CC) (T1).)
- Tissue stiffness(Tissue stiffness was measured two times in each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (when the participant arrived, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or control condition (CC) (T1).)
- Heart rate variability and heart rate(Heart rate variabilty and heart rate were measured two times in each session (SS and CC): once at the beginning (when the participant arrived, T0) and once right after the stretching (SS) or control condition (CC) (T1).)
研究者
Ewan Thomas
Ewan Thomas, Associate Professor in Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement
University of Palermo