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On the other hand, it has been reported that exercise training using the isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise protocol (2-min IHG at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and 3-min recovery × 4 trials) reduces resting blood pressure and improves arterial stiffness as well as endothelial function. Importantly, it is difficult in some cases for the elderly and patients who have limitations moving large muscle groups to perform dynamic whole-body exercises, e.g., cycling, walking, etc. However, in general, dynamic exercise rather than isometric exercise is recommended as exercise therapy in the elderly or any patients who have a higher blood pressure response to exercise because the dynamic exercise-induced increase in arterial blood pressure (ABP) is lower than that induced by isometric exercises. Previous studies have reported that both dynamic and static (isometric) exercise training improved cognitive performance and cardiovascular function. Therefore, by one method or another, cognitive dysfunction must be prevented to maintain quality of life for the elderly and any other patients.
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For example, aging and cardiovascular disease have been reported to attenuate cognitive function. These findings suggest that the intermittent IHG exercise protocol with short exercise duration may not provide enough stimulation to improve cognitive performance despite being useful as a safe exercise therapy in the elderly and in patients with cardiovascular disease.Ĭognitive function is an essential component of most daily activities, but it is changeable and determined by many physiological factors. The intermittent IHG exercise protocol did not change the RT or performance accuracy of either the Go/No-Go task ( P = 0.222 and P = 0.260, respectively) or the memory recognition task ( P = 0.427 and P = 0.245, respectively). Specifically, the reaction time (RT) and performance accuracy were measured.
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Cognitive performance was evaluated before and after the exercise with the Go/No-Go and memory recognition tasks. Twenty-two young healthy subjects performed the intermittent IHG exercise protocol, which consisted of 30-s IHG and 45-s recovery × 16 trials the exercise intensity of the IHG exercise was 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an intermittent IHG exercise protocol with short exercise duration, which minimizes the arterial blood pressure response to exercise, on cognitive performance. The isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise has been utilized in training programs to reduce resting blood pressure however, the acute effects of the IHG exercise on cognitive performance are not fully understood. The handgrip exercise, a small muscle exercise, is useful for exercise therapy, particularly in the elderly and bedridden patients.