Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training in Hypertension
ConditionHypertension
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age40-75
SponsorHacettepe University
About this trial
Hypertension is associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, reduced muscle strength, and impaired functional capacity, all of which contribute to increased cardiovascular risk and decreased quality of life. Resistance training is recommended as a non-pharmacological intervention for hypertension; however, it remains unclear whether unilateral and bilateral resistance training produce different physiological adaptations, particularly regarding cardiac autonomic function.
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral resistance training on heart rate variability (HRV), muscle strength, and functional capacity in adults with hypertension. Eligible participants aged 40-75 years with a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: a unilateral resistance training group, a bilateral resistance training group, or a control group. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated block randomization procedure with sex stratification to ensure balanced group allocation.
Participants in the two intervention groups will complete a supervised 12-week resistance training program, performed twice weekly at an intensity of 60-70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The unilateral training group will perform exercises using one limb at a time, whereas the bilateral training group will perform the same exercises simultaneously with both limbs. The control group will receive no structured exercise intervention during the study period but will receive general information regarding the benefits of physical activity.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. The primary outcome will be heart rate variability measured using a Polar H10 heart rate sensor and Elite HRV software. Secondary outcomes will include peripheral muscle strength assessed by one-repetition maximum testing, functional capacity assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test and the Glittre Activities of Daily Living Test, and blood pressure measured using a sphygmomanometer.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the optimal resistance training strategy for improving autonomic function and physical performance in individuals with hypertension, thereby supporting the development of safer and more individualized exercise prescriptions.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adults aged 40 to 75 years.
Physician-confirmed diagnosis of hypertension.
Medically stable and able to safely participate in a supervised resistance training program.
Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Disqualifiers
Presence of cardiovascular diseases other than hypertension.
Neurological disorders.
Psychiatric disorders.
Orthopedic conditions limiting participation in resistance exercise.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Unilateral Resistance Training
Other interventionParticipants will complete a supervised unilateral resistance training program twice weekly for 12 weeks. Exercise intensity will be prescribed at 60-70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). Exercises include leg press, knee extension, leg curl, seated row, and chest press performed separately with the right and left limbs. Each session consists of 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with at least 1 minute of rest between sets. Training loads will be progressively increased based on participants' performance and perceived exertion using the Modified Borg Scale.
Bilateral Resistance Training
Other interventionParticipants will complete a supervised bilateral resistance training program twice weekly for 12 weeks. Exercise intensity will be prescribed at 60-70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). Exercises include leg press, knee extension, leg curl, seated row, and chest press performed simultaneously with both limbs. Each session consists of 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with at least 1 minute of rest between sets. Training loads will be progressively increased according to participants' performance and perceived exertion using the Modified Borg Scale.
Treatment groups
54 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: Unilateral Resistance Training GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Bilateral Resistance Training GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Muscle Strength
Muscle strength will be assessed using one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing for leg press, knee extension, leg curl, seated row, and chest press exercises.
Time frame
Baseline and Week 122
Functional Capacity
Functional capacity will be evaluated using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Walking distance and physiological responses will be recorded before and after the intervention.
Time frame
Baseline and Week 123
RMSSD
Change in the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) measured using heart rate variability analysis. RMSSD is reported in milliseconds (ms). Minimum value: 0 ms. There is no fixed maximum value. Higher values indicate greater parasympathetic activity and improved cardiac autonomic function (better outcome).
Time frame
Baseline and Week 124
SDNN
Change in the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) measured using heart rate variability analysis. SDNN is reported in milliseconds (ms). Minimum value: 0 ms. There is no fixed maximum value. Higher values indicate greater overall heart rate variability and improved cardiac autonomic function (better outcome).
Time frame
Baseline and Week 12Secondary outcomes
1
Activities of Daily Living
Change in activities of daily living performance assessed using the Glittre Activities of Daily Living (Glittre ADL) Test. The outcome is the total time required to complete the Glittre ADL Test, measured in seconds (s). Minimum value: 0 seconds. There is no fixed maximum value. Lower completion times indicate better functional performance in activities of daily living (better outcome), whereas higher completion times indicate poorer functional performance (worse outcome).
Time frame
Baseline and Week 122
Blood Pressure
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using a validated sphygmomanometer before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise during the baseline and post-intervention assessments.
Time frame
Baseline and Week 12Sponsors and contacts
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Hacettepe University
Lead sponsor
Munzur University
Sponsor institution
Source ClinicalTrials.gov