A 35-year-old member asked:
how effective is isometric exercise?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Hardin answered
Wound care 36 years experience
R U ready: Any exercize result depends on what you put into it
strength gains only occur at the angle you use in the exercise.
During an exercise, blood flow to the muscle stops, blood pressure rises, and less blood flows back to the heart.
This could be dangerous if you have heart problems.
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Dr. Stephen Southard answered
Internal Medicine 15 years experience
At what: It's not clear what your goal is. They are good for muscle stabilization and in the rehabilitation setting. But to be honest, these types of static contractions, don't allow for a muscle to work through it's range of motion. It won't likely help with building size and strength. It may help with decreasing blood pressure and maintaining some degree of strength.
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A 47-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between isotonic and isometric exercise?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Vic Kalman answered
Orthopedic Surgery 35 years experience
Are different: Isometric exercise is where muscle force is exerted without changing the length of the muscle fibers. This is accomplished by pushing or pulling against an immovable object or by simultaneously contracting opposing muscles, such as by pressing the hands together. There is no joint movement. Isotonic occurs when a contracting muscle shortens against a constant load, as when lifting a weight.
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A 36-year-old member asked:
How do I do isometric exercise effectively and correctly?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Joseph Woods answered
Pathology 28 years experience
See your doctor.: Isometric exercise, like weight lifting, can definitely build muscles, which helps capabilities/fitness, but is limited because it does not help cardiovascular health, and during the exercise, blood pressure can be greatly increased. This can be very disastrous in people who are vulnerable, like those with aneurisms. It is smart to see your doctor to find what you can and should do for health.
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A 30-year-old member asked:
Whats the difference between isotonic and isometric exercise?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Vic Kalman answered
Orthopedic Surgery 35 years experience
Motion-No Motion: Isometric exercise is where muscle force is exerted without changing the length of the muscle fibers. This is accomplished by pushing or pulling against an immovable object or by simultaneously contracting opposing muscles, such as by pressing the hands together. There is no joint movement. Isotonic occurs when a contracting muscle shortens against a constant load, as when lifting a weight.
5874 views
A 39-year-old member asked:
How do I do isometric exercise at home?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Gregory Harvey answered
Orthopedic Surgery 38 years experience
Isometric: You can look up these exercises online because there are many for different muscles. Basically it's tightening or contracting of the muscle with out moving a joint. So you can lay down and tighten your quad muscle of your leg or you can push on a wall with your arm and tighten one of your shoulder muscles.
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A 33-year-old member asked:
How effective is isotonic vs isometric exercise?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Michalski answered
Orthopedic Surgery 36 years experience
Isotonic/isometric: Both are effective, just different. It is easier to do isometric. True isotonic is more challenging.
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Last updated Apr 23, 2015
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