Handgrip Training and Brain Blood Flow Regulation

NCT07223645 | Recruiting FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00006271
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effect of isometric handgrip training on brain blood vessel function in physically inactive adults. Isometric handgrip training is a promising strategy for lowering blood pressure and improving vascular health, but no previous investigations have studied the effect of training on markers of brain blood vessel function. Based on previous work showing improvements in vascular function after isometric handgrip training, we hypothesize that isometric handgrip training will improve key markers of cerebrovascular function.

Conditions

Inactivity/Low Levels of Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in middle cerebral artery blood velocity reactivity to hypercapnia

  Middle cerebral artery blood velocity will be measured via transcranial Doppler ultrasound

  Up to 9 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Change in middle cerebral artery blood velocity reactivity to hypocapnia

  Up to 9 weeks

• Brachial systolic blood pressure

  Up to 9 weeks

• Change in dynamic cerebral autoregulation phase

  Up to 9 weeks

• Change in dynamic cerebral autoregulation gain

  Up to 9 weeks

• Change in total resting brain blood flow

  Up to 9 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Isometric Handgrip Training - Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform moderate-intensity handgrip training three days per week for eight weeks using a handheld device.

Device: Handgrip Training

Isometric Handgrip Training - Sham

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will perform very low-intensity handgrip training three days per week for eight weeks using a handheld device.

Device: Handgrip Training

Interventions

Handgrip Training DEVICE

Handgrip training 3 days per week for 8 weeks

Isometric Handgrip Training - Intervention; Isometric Handgrip Training - Sham

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• to 35 years old
• Body mass index ≤30 kg/m2 (without obesity)
• Physically inactive (not meeting the current recommendations of ≥150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise and not ≥2 days per week of resistance training) in last 6 months
• Have a smartphone and are willing to download mobile applications used in this project

You may not qualify if:

• Having an overt chronic condition (e.g., cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, etc.)
• Being pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding/lactating
• Regular use of nicotine products in the past 6 months
• Recent head injury/trauma or concussion

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Florida State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States

RECRUITING

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Laboratory Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 30, 2025
• First Posted: November 3, 2025
• Study Start: October 27, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 27, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 27, 2028
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

US (1)