Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations
Cognitive function is essential for most behaviors of daily living and is a critical component in assessing the quality of life. Mounting prospective evidence supports the use of isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) as a small muscle mass practice to promote health-related outcomes in clinical and heal...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.1012836/full |
| _version_ | 1817982927110144000 |
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| author | Yuxin Zhu Yuxin Zhu Shan He Fabian Herold Fenghua Sun Chunxiao Li Sisi Tao Tian-Yu Gao |
| author_facet | Yuxin Zhu Yuxin Zhu Shan He Fabian Herold Fenghua Sun Chunxiao Li Sisi Tao Tian-Yu Gao |
| author_sort | Yuxin Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cognitive function is essential for most behaviors of daily living and is a critical component in assessing the quality of life. Mounting prospective evidence supports the use of isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) as a small muscle mass practice to promote health-related outcomes in clinical and healthy populations. The aim of the present review was to systematically investigate whether IHE is effective in improving the cognitive function of adults (aged ≥18 years). Studies were identified by searching five databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, and Web of Science). Eight out of 767 studies met the inclusion criteria, including three types of studies: 1) acute effect for IHE with various intensity protocols (n = 4); 2) acute effect for IHE with one set exhaustion protocol (n = 2); and 3) chronic effect of IHE on cognitive function (n = 2). To assess the methodological quality of studies, the PEDro scale was used (mean score = 6.75). The evidence on whether IHE exerts acute positive effects on cognitive performance is currently rather inconclusive. However, a trend was discernible that implementing IHE can generate a beneficial chronic effect on cognitive function, although the results should be interpreted with caution. The clinical relevance of IHE as a time-efficient type of physical exercise to improve cognitive function warrants further investigation. Methodology and safety considerations were discussed.Systematic Review Registration: (https://osf.io/gbzp9). |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:26:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bec7c9154cf6431ebf87b8812f87b0f1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:26:23Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-bec7c9154cf6431ebf87b8812f87b0f12022-12-22T02:25:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2022-10-011310.3389/fphys.2022.10128361012836Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerationsYuxin Zhu0Yuxin Zhu1Shan He2Fabian Herold3Fenghua Sun4Chunxiao Li5Sisi Tao6Tian-Yu Gao7School of Physical Education, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, ChinaResearch Group Degenerative and Chronic Disease, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, GermanyDepartment of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, ChinaFaculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaCognitive function is essential for most behaviors of daily living and is a critical component in assessing the quality of life. Mounting prospective evidence supports the use of isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) as a small muscle mass practice to promote health-related outcomes in clinical and healthy populations. The aim of the present review was to systematically investigate whether IHE is effective in improving the cognitive function of adults (aged ≥18 years). Studies were identified by searching five databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, and Web of Science). Eight out of 767 studies met the inclusion criteria, including three types of studies: 1) acute effect for IHE with various intensity protocols (n = 4); 2) acute effect for IHE with one set exhaustion protocol (n = 2); and 3) chronic effect of IHE on cognitive function (n = 2). To assess the methodological quality of studies, the PEDro scale was used (mean score = 6.75). The evidence on whether IHE exerts acute positive effects on cognitive performance is currently rather inconclusive. However, a trend was discernible that implementing IHE can generate a beneficial chronic effect on cognitive function, although the results should be interpreted with caution. The clinical relevance of IHE as a time-efficient type of physical exercise to improve cognitive function warrants further investigation. Methodology and safety considerations were discussed.Systematic Review Registration: (https://osf.io/gbzp9).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.1012836/fullsystematic reviewcognitionexecutive functionclenchstatic exercise |
| spellingShingle | Yuxin Zhu Yuxin Zhu Shan He Fabian Herold Fenghua Sun Chunxiao Li Sisi Tao Tian-Yu Gao Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations Frontiers in Physiology systematic review cognition executive function clench static exercise |
| title | Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations |
| title_full | Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations |
| title_fullStr | Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations |
| title_short | Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations |
| title_sort | effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function current evidence methodology and safety considerations |
| topic | systematic review cognition executive function clench static exercise |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.1012836/full |
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