Study seeking volunteers to explore prevention and treatment of high blood pressure among Black populations

Kinesiology professors Cheri McGowan, Kevin Milne, and Paula van Wyk are conducting research

on isometric handgrip training as a treatment for high blood pressure among Black populations.

One in five people has high blood pressure or hypertension, increasing their chances of heart disease and even death. Black populations are at an increased risk of having high blood pressure, and of having more severe complications. Yet individuals who identify as Black remain under-represented in research for high blood pressure.

WE-Spark core principal member Paula van Wyk and her co-investigators in the Department of Kinesiology, Cheri McGowan and Kevin Milne, invite interested individuals to volunteer as a participant exploring the effectiveness of isometric handgrip exercise as an approach to preventing and treating high blood pressure among Black populations.

They are looking for volunteers to come to the Physical Activity & Cardiovascular Research Laboratory in the Human Kinetics Building to complete a study involving seated isometric handgrip exercise. This involves squeezing a device with each hand for two minutes. Participants will be asked to complete these squeezing exercises on two different devices in each hand twice. During the exercise they will wear an arm cuff or similar device to measure heart rate and blood pressure.

After the rounds of exercise, they will be asked a few survey questions about the experience. Overall, the time commitment is approximately one to two hours.

Individuals can volunteer to participate if they are 18 years of age or older, identify as Black, and can travel to the Human Kinetics Building.

If this interests you, or may be of interest to someone you know, contact the study co-ordinator Leslee Ward at ward11i@uwindsor.ca.

Courtesy: https://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/2025-02-25/study-seeking-volunteers-explore-prevention-and-treatment-high-blood-pressure-among-black