Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males

Introduction: High-intensity resistance training may elevate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and hinder optimal performance execution. Objective: This study compared the effects of low-load resistance training under blood flow restriction (BFR) and hypoxia (HYP) on body composition, strength...

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Main Authors: Arunya Buttichak, Chaiyawat Namboonlue, Sarawut Poca, Chaowanan Tanok, Sarocha Namboonlue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: FEADEF 2025-06-01
Series:Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
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Online Access:https://revistaretos.org/index.php/retos/article/view/116350
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author Arunya Buttichak
Chaiyawat Namboonlue
Sarawut Poca
Chaowanan Tanok
Sarocha Namboonlue
author_facet Arunya Buttichak
Chaiyawat Namboonlue
Sarawut Poca
Chaowanan Tanok
Sarocha Namboonlue
author_sort Arunya Buttichak
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: High-intensity resistance training may elevate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and hinder optimal performance execution. Objective: This study compared the effects of low-load resistance training under blood flow restriction (BFR) and hypoxia (HYP) on body composition, strength, and endurance in untrained male college students. Methodology: Forty-five male college students from Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University were purposively sampled and matched into three groups (n = 15): 1) high-load resistance training (HLRT), 2) low-load resistance combined with blood flow restriction training (LLBFR), and 3) low-load resistance combined with hypoxic training (LLHYP). All groups trained three times weekly for five weeks. Results: After five weeks of training, all groups showed significant improvements in fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass and performance outcome (p < 0.05). The LLHYP group also exhibited significantly reduced skinfold thickness and greater arm circumference (p < 0.05). All groups improved strength and endurance, but LLHYP demonstrated significantly greater endurance than HLRT in both exercises (p = 0.021 and 0.003, respectively) and outperformed LLBFR in the dip machine (p = 0.032). Discussion: Findings support that LLBFR and LLHYP can produce similar strength and body composition outcomes as HLRT over a short term. LLHYP, in particular, showed superior benefits in endurance, possibly due to hypoxia-related physiological adaptations. Conclusions: Low-load resistance training with BFR and HYP effectively enhanced body composition, strength, and endurance of the biceps and triceps. This approach may offer a safer alternative for untrained male students.
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series Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
spelling doaj-art-00ca47bd84de43749925e5d1bcc7ce3c2025-08-20T02:40:43ZengFEADEFRetos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación1579-17261988-20412025-06-016810.47197/retos.v68.116350Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained malesArunya Buttichak0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9035-7514Chaiyawat Namboonlue 1https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7662-9559Sarawut Poca 2https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3207-2300Chaowanan Tanok3Sarocha Namboonlue4https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9594-0052Area of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Ubon Ratchathani UniversityProgram of Sports and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat UniversityArea of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Ubon Ratchathani UniversityArea of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Ubon Ratchathani UniversityProgram of Sports and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Introduction: High-intensity resistance training may elevate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and hinder optimal performance execution. Objective: This study compared the effects of low-load resistance training under blood flow restriction (BFR) and hypoxia (HYP) on body composition, strength, and endurance in untrained male college students. Methodology: Forty-five male college students from Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University were purposively sampled and matched into three groups (n = 15): 1) high-load resistance training (HLRT), 2) low-load resistance combined with blood flow restriction training (LLBFR), and 3) low-load resistance combined with hypoxic training (LLHYP). All groups trained three times weekly for five weeks. Results: After five weeks of training, all groups showed significant improvements in fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass and performance outcome (p < 0.05). The LLHYP group also exhibited significantly reduced skinfold thickness and greater arm circumference (p < 0.05). All groups improved strength and endurance, but LLHYP demonstrated significantly greater endurance than HLRT in both exercises (p = 0.021 and 0.003, respectively) and outperformed LLBFR in the dip machine (p = 0.032). Discussion: Findings support that LLBFR and LLHYP can produce similar strength and body composition outcomes as HLRT over a short term. LLHYP, in particular, showed superior benefits in endurance, possibly due to hypoxia-related physiological adaptations. Conclusions: Low-load resistance training with BFR and HYP effectively enhanced body composition, strength, and endurance of the biceps and triceps. This approach may offer a safer alternative for untrained male students. https://revistaretos.org/index.php/retos/article/view/116350Blood flow restrictionbody compositionhypoxialow-load resistance trainingmuscular strength and endurance
spellingShingle Arunya Buttichak
Chaiyawat Namboonlue
Sarawut Poca
Chaowanan Tanok
Sarocha Namboonlue
Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
Blood flow restriction
body composition
hypoxia
low-load resistance training
muscular strength and endurance
title Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
title_full Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
title_fullStr Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
title_short Enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low-load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
title_sort enhancing muscle strength and body composition after low load resistance with blood flow restriction and hypoxia in untrained males
topic Blood flow restriction
body composition
hypoxia
low-load resistance training
muscular strength and endurance
url https://revistaretos.org/index.php/retos/article/view/116350
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