Comparing isometric and aerobic exercises for lowering blood pressure in teens

The BEE-Power Study (Boosting Exercise for Excellent Pediatric Blood Pressure)

This study is testing whether isometric exercises like squats and planks or aerobic exercises like running can help lower blood pressure in teenagers aged 13 to 17.5 who have high blood pressure.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Ages: 13 Years to 17 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Little Rock, Arkansas)
• Trial ID: NCT06444464 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two types of exercises—isometric (like squats and planks) and aerobic (such as running)—on improving blood pressure in adolescents aged 13 to 17.5 years diagnosed with high blood pressure. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two exercise groups and will attend three study visits over a four-week period. During these visits, blood pressure measurements will be taken before and after a single session of exercise, along with other health assessments. The study is conducted by the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in collaboration with the Hypertension Clinic at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 13 to 17.5 years with a diagnosis of high blood pressure and who are overweight but not classified as class 3 obesity.

Not a fit: Patients with class 3 obesity or those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, ADHD, or chronic kidney disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into effective exercise interventions for managing high blood pressure in adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with exercise interventions for managing blood pressure, making this approach promising yet still requiring further investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria

* Age 13 to 17.5 years old
* Excessive weight: BMI percentile ≥ 85th and \<140% of the 95th percentile or BMI

  * 35 to \<40 kg/m2
* Diagnosis of HBP
* HBP treated with lifestyle modifications only

Exclusion Criteria

* Children with class 3 obesity (i.e., BMI ≥ 140% of the 95th percentile or BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2)
* Asthma that requires daily use of inhalers to keep symptoms under control
* Asthma that requires use of rescue inhalers (e.g., albuterol) \>2 days per week
* Exercise induced asthma
* Autism spectrum disorder (e.g., Autistic disorder, Rett disorder, Asperger disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
* Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
* Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
* Epilepsy
* Cancer
* Chronic kidney disease
* Hormonal disease (e.g., hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency)
* Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, thyroiditis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
* Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
* Chronic infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C)
* Type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
* Other pre-existing medical conditions or medications as determined by the investigators to affect the outcomes of interest
* Parent/participant refusal to have blood drawn
* Unwillingness to wear a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor

Where this trial is running

Little Rock, Arkansas

• Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center — Little Rock, Arkansas, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Eva C Diaz — Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center
• Study coordinator: Eva C Diaz, M.D.

Conditions: High Blood Pressure, Overweight and Obesity, Adolescent Obesity, Exercise