Isometric exercise method for lowering resting blood pressure and grip dynamometer useful therefor

摘要

The present invention is directed in one aspect to a protocol or method for lowering the resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures of patients. This protocol commences with a determination of the maximal isometric force which can be exerted by a patient with any given muscle (e.g., skeletal muscle or group of muscles) of such patient. The determined maximal isometric force is recorded. The patient, then, is periodically permitted to intermittently engage in isometric contraction of the given muscle at a fractional level (e.g. up to about 60%) of the maximal force determined for a given contraction duration followed by a given resting duration. A perceptible indicia correlative to the isometric force exerted by the given muscle is displayed to the patient so that the patient can sustain the given fractional level of maximal force. As another aspect of the present invention, disclosed is an apparatus for use by a patient in carrying out the foregoing protocol. This apparatus includes the dynamometer for a patient to activate with a given muscle (e.g., skeletal muscle or group of muscles). A memory is connected to the dynamometer for recording the maximal isometric force which can be exerted by the patient with any given muscle of that patient. A display is connected to the dynamometer and to the memory for displaying percentages of the recorded maximal isometric force when the patient activates the dynamometer with the given muscle. A timer is provided for the patient to ascertain the duration over which the given muscle exerts isometric force through the dynamometer and the duration between exertions.