Handgrip squeezing exercise and its effects on blood pressure in pregnant women
Tests handgrip exercise on blood pressure and thinking in pregnant women.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effect of Isometric Handgrip Exercise on Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women
Key facts
- Where
- Poitiers, FranceSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 45 years old?
Source: NCT07607795, who can take part
Where in France
- Faculty of Sport Science - MOVE Laboratory - UR 20296Poitiers, FranceTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Poitiers
- Trial code
- NCT07607795
- Record updated
- 26 May 2026
- Original description
Hypertension during pregnancy is a major public health concern, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications for both the mother and the fetus. Women with chronic hypertension are at higher risk of adverse outcomes, and elevated blood pressure during pregnancy has also been associated with long-term cardiovascular and cognitive impairments.Regular physical activity is recognized as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to reduce blood pressure. Among different exercise modalities, isometric exercise has shown promising effects in lowering blood pressure in the general population, with minimal cardiovascular strain. However, its effects and safety in pregnant women, particularly those with hypertension, remain poorly understood.In addition to cardiovascular alterations, hypertension during pregnancy may also impact cognitive function, potentially through changes in cerebral perfusion and vascular function. Despite these associations, the combined cardiovascular and cognitive responses to exercise in this population have not been fully explored.This study aims to investigate the effects of isometric handgrip exercise on cardiovascular and cognitive responses in pregnant women with and without chronic hypertension, in order to better understand its potential as a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention during pregnancy.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of Isometric Handgrip Exercise on Cardiovascular and Cognitive Responses in Normotensive and Hypertensive Pregnant Women (GRIP4HEALTH)
Hypertension during pregnancy is a major public health concern, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications for both the mother and the fetus. Women with chronic hypertension are at higher risk of adverse outcomes, and elevated blood pressure during pregnancy has also been associated with long-term cardiovascular and cognitive impairments.Regular physical activity is recognized as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to reduce blood pressure. Among different exercise modalities, isometric exercise has shown promising effects in lowering blood pressure in the general population, with minimal cardiovascular strain. However, its effects and safety in pregnant women, particularly those with hypertension, remain poorly understood.In addition to cardiovascular alterations, hypertension during pregnancy may also impact cognitive function, potentially through changes in cerebral perfusion and vascular function. Despite these associations, the combined cardiovascular and cognitive responses to exercise in this population have not been fully explored.This study aims to investigate the effects of isometric handgrip exercise on cardiovascular and cognitive responses in pregnant women with and without chronic hypertension, in order to better understand its potential as a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention during pregnancy.
Inclusion: Pregnant women covered by the French National Health Insurance system; Pregnant women who do not object to participation in the study; Women belonging to one of the following two groups:; Women with chronic hypertension present before pregnancy (diagnosed within the past 5 years), defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, without antihypertensive treatment; Normotensive pregnant women, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 90 mmHg before pregnancy.
Exclusion: Current treatment for chronic or gestational hypertension; Known cardiovascular disease other than chronic hypertension; Persons under judicial protection or guardianship Type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Thyroid disease; Age under 18 years; Persons deprived of liberty; Inability to speak or adequately understand French; Persons hospitalized without consent who are not subject to legal protection measures, and persons admitted to a health or social institution for purposes other than research; Persons currently excluded from participation in another research study; Severe or extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²); Heavy smoking.