The Effect of Dynamic and Isometric Exercise on Refractive State, Accommodation and Intra-Ocular Pressure

Methods: 20 young, healthy subjects participated in 3 trials. In the first trial, subjects spent 10 minutes exercising on a stair climbing machine while in the second session, they were required to maintain an unsupported squat position for a continuous 2 minute period. In a control condition, subjects watched television in a seated position for 10 minutes. Before and immediately after each trial, the following parameters were measured: (i) systolic and diastolic BP, (ii) heart rate, (iii) distance refractive state, (iv) accommodative response to 3, 4 and 5D stimuli and (v) IOP. In a second study, IOP was assessed both before and during (while the subject was still in the squatting position) 1 minute of isotonic exercise in 14 young, healthy subjects.