Grip strength study reveals sex differences in blood pressure control
NCT ID NCT06215014
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether young men and women respond differently to a simple handgrip exercise for lowering blood pressure. Twenty-nine healthy adults did handgrip training at home for 4 weeks, while researchers measured blood pressure and blood vessel function. The goal is to understand if sex plays a role in how well this type of exercise works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- isometric handgrip exercise training
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help tailor exercise recommendations for blood pressure management based on sex.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 29 healthy participants, so results may not apply to people with high blood pressure or other conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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29 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages between 18-40 years; * Normal blood pressure as defined by the American Heart Association (\<130/90 mmHg); * BMI \< 30 kg/m2; * No cardiovascular risk factors and no clinically diagnosed cardiovascular disease; * Being recreationally active (≤ 2 days of structured physical activity); * Able to speak English. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, heart failure), musculoskeletal (i.e., osteoporosis and sarcopenia), metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus) and kidney disease; * Taking antihypertensive or other vasoactive medications and cardioactive medication; * Diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorders; * Long COVID; * Being a smoker; * Being pregnant or having menstrual irregularities.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UMassachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, 02125, United States
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University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, 02125, United States
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