Cardiovascular system: isometric exercise: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Cardiovascular system: isometric exercise

Sample item

A subject squeezes a handgrip dynamometer at 30 percent of maximal force for three minutes. Compared with running on a treadmill, which change is more pronounced?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. A rise in diastolic blood pressure from raised peripheral resistance

Sustained contraction compresses the muscle vasculature and triggers a pressor reflex, so heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressures all rise. Dynamic exercise produces vasodilation in working muscle, so diastolic pressure stays the same or falls.

Option by option

  • A. A fall in mean arterial pressure

    Mean arterial pressure rises, not falls, in isometric exercise.

  • B. A fall in diastolic pressure with vasodilation

    Falling diastolic pressure with vasodilation is the feature of dynamic exercise.

  • C. A rise in diastolic blood pressure from raised peripheral resistance (correct)

    Correct. Isometric work compresses vessels and raises diastolic pressure and resistance.

  • D. A larger rise in stroke volume with preserved resistance

    Stroke volume rises mainly with dynamic exercise and resistance falls there.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, A rise in diastolic blood pressure from raised peripheral resistance. Sustained contraction compresses the muscle vasculature and triggers a pressor reflex, so heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressures all rise.

Why is "A fall in mean arterial pressure" not the answer?

Mean arterial pressure rises, not falls, in isometric exercise.

Why is "A fall in diastolic pressure with vasodilation" not the answer?

Falling diastolic pressure with vasodilation is the feature of dynamic exercise.

Why is "A larger rise in stroke volume with preserved resistance" not the answer?

Stroke volume rises mainly with dynamic exercise and resistance falls there.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular system: isometric exercise in Physiology. Dynamic exercise produces vasodilation in working muscle, so diastolic pressure stays the same or falls.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiovascular system: isometric exercise?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.