Clinical Research Directory

Grape Extract and Exercise Effects on Blood Pressure

Exercise and grape extract intake (i.e., polyphenol-rich product) can independently improve blood pressure and endothelial function in prehypertensive individuals. Nevertheless, their combined effects remain unexplored. Furthermore, since the biological pathways targeted by both interventions are similar, they could overlap and be amplified by one another, promoting additive or synergistic effects. Animal model studies have reported that a grape seed extract intake prevents exercise-induced oxidative stress, which could improve vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, as previously reported, a single dose of grape seed extract reduces blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction, and heart stress, enhancing O2 delivery during exercise in prehypertensive males. These effects may be partly due to endothelium-dependent vasodilation enhancement. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the potential impact of exercise and grape extract on blood pressure and vascular function in prehypertensive individuals.

Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping and Ventricular Repolarization in Hypertension

The primary aim is to determine whether non-dipping status is associated with adverse repolarization markers and impaired myocardial mechanics compared to dipper hypertensive patients. Secondary analyses will compare these findings among resistant vs. non-resistant and controlled vs. uncontrolled hypertensive groups. This study may provide new insights into the prognostic significance of blood pressure dipping patterns in hypertensive patients.

Impact of Resistance Training Intensity on Blood Pressure

The goal of the clinical trial is to understand the effect of two resistance training protocols employing different loading intensities (% of 1 repetition maximum; 1-RM), but with standardized effort intensity (2 repetitions in reserve; RIR) on post-exercise and ambulatory blood pressure in aging females. The main questions it aims to answer are: * to examine the acute effects of low (50% 1-RM) and high (80% 1-RM) load intensity resistance exercise with a standardized high effort intensity on post-exercise hypotension and ambulatory blood pressure responses in aging females; * deepen the understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute reductions in blood pressure in response to resistance exercise performed at different load intensities. To this end, autonomic activity will be estimated alongside the measurement of central arterial compliance (i.e., carotid artery), and serum biomarkers of endothelial function; * document the affective valence and enjoyment associated with low (50% 1-RM) and high (80% 1-RM) load intensity resistance exercise when performed at a high perceived effort. Researchers will compare the effect of: 1) a low load (LL-RE) intensity protocol consisting of 3 sets of each exercise at 50% 1-RM, performed until reaching a hard perceived effort intensity (i.e., RIR-2); 2) high load (HL-RE) intensity protocol consisting of 3 sets of each exercise at 80% of 1-RM, performed until reaching a hard perceived effort intensity (i.e., RIR-2); 3) and a control condition (CON) consisting of a standardized non-fatiguing cognitive task. Participants will participate in: * A preliminary assessment visit; * Two familiarization visits to validate the exercise prescriptions; * Three experimental visits (CON, LL-RE, HL-RE).