How age, sex, and a handgrip affect heart–vessel communication during low blood pressure
Official title: Effects of Age, Sex and Isometric Exercise on Ventricular-Vascular Interactions During Cardiac Unloading
Run by University of Massachusetts, Boston · NCT06939153 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will test whether simulated low blood pressure with and without a handgrip exercise changes how the heart and blood vessels communicate in healthy young and older men and women.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 64 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Massachusetts, Boston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 2026 |
| Study ends | December 15, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06939153 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy men and women aged 18–35 or ≥65 who have no symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, have BMI <35, are non-smokers, not taking beta-blockers, and (for young females) have regular menstrual cycles.
✕Probably not a fit
People with diagnosed cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory or renal disease, neurodegenerative dementia, active orthostatic symptoms, tobacco use, pregnancy, use of beta-blockers, or inability to fit into the LBNP chamber are excluded and unlikely to benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Healthy volunteers aged 18–35 and ≥65 will undergo laboratory cardiac unloading using lower body negative pressure (LBNP) while researchers record cardiovascular pressures and flows. Participants will also perform an isometric handgrip during some sessions to see how a simple exercise influences responses. The study will quantify ventricular and arterial elastance and other pressure–volume parameters to characterize heart–vessel coupling during unloading. Comparisons will be made by age and sex to identify differences that could explain higher orthostatic intolerance in older adults and females.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of why older adults (especially women) faint or feel dizzy on standing and help guide strategies to prevent falls and related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using lower body negative pressure and handgrip have characterized blood pressure and heart-rate responses and shown age/sex differences, but applying ventricular–vascular coupling measures during unloading is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria * People aged 18-35 years or aged ≥ 65 years * Healthy without symptons of orthostatic intolerance (i.e., nausea, sweating, weakness, visual disturbance) * Seated systolic and/or diastolic BP \<140/90 mmHg; * Body mass index \<35 kg/m2 * Recreationally active (≤ 2 days of structured physical activity) * Regular menstrual cycles in young females Exclusion Criteria: * People diagnosed with cardiovascular, diabetes, inflammatory or renal diseases and neurodegenerative-related dementia * Tobacco users * People prescribed with beta-blockers * Pregnant females * People unable to fit or get into the lower body negative pressure chamber
Where it's running
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University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: João L. Marôco, MS
- Email: joao.maroco001@umb.edu
- Phone: 7738933897
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.