The comparison of intraocular pressure reductions after isometric and isokinetic exercises in normal individuals

The lowering effect of physical exercise on intraocular pressure (IOP) has been reported both in healthy people a nd those with glaucoma, but a compar isen of the lowering effect of isometric and isokinetic exercises on IOP ha s not been conducted in any study. Our aims were to investigate the relatio nship between intensity of exercise and IOP, and whether a significant diff erence in IOP lowering effect existed between isometric and isokinetic exer cises. Sixty-seven patients with an age range of 23-40 who had no ocular di sease were randomly divided into two groups. While 31 patients in the first group, group A, performed isokinetic exercise with the Cybex 6000 dynamome ter, 32 patients in the second group, group B, had isometric exercises with the same machine. IOP was measured in the right eye of patients with Shiot z tonometer just before and 10 min following exercise. Exercise intensity a nd total energy consumption were determined by the machine for each patient . While IOP values measured before exercise, the deg ree of exercise applie d, and total energy consumption did not differ significantly between groups , both isometric and isotonic exercises lowe red IOP significantly. As a re sult, isometric and isokinetic exercises lowered IOP in ophthalmologically normal subjects with direct relationship to exercise intensity and total en ergy consumption. Since the pressure towering effect of isokinetic exercise was more significant, it might prove useful to glaucomatous patients.