Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction

Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a popular resistance exercise technique purported to increase metabolic stress and augment training adaptations over time. However, short-term use may lead to acute neuromuscular fatigue and higher exertion ratings. <b>Objective:</b> The purpose of the cur...

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Main Authors: Andrew R. Jagim, Jordan Schuler, Elijah Szymanski, Chinguun Khurelbaatar, Makenna Carpenter, Jennifer B. Fields, Margaret T. Jones
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/254
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author Andrew R. Jagim
Jordan Schuler
Elijah Szymanski
Chinguun Khurelbaatar
Makenna Carpenter
Jennifer B. Fields
Margaret T. Jones
author_facet Andrew R. Jagim
Jordan Schuler
Elijah Szymanski
Chinguun Khurelbaatar
Makenna Carpenter
Jennifer B. Fields
Margaret T. Jones
author_sort Andrew R. Jagim
collection DOAJ
description Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a popular resistance exercise technique purported to increase metabolic stress and augment training adaptations over time. However, short-term use may lead to acute neuromuscular fatigue and higher exertion ratings. <b>Objective:</b> The purpose of the current study was to examine acute physiological responses to low-load resistance exercise utilizing BFR compared to higher-load, non-BFR resistance exercise. <b>Methods:</b> Recreationally trained males (n = 6) and females (n = 7) (mean ± standard deviation, age: 20 ± 1 yrs.; height: 172 ± 8 cm; weight: 73 ± 11 kg; BMI: 24.4 ± 2.2 kg·m<sup>−2</sup>; training experience: 4 ± 2 yrs.) had limb occlusion pressure determined (50%; right leg: 118 ± 11 mmHg; left leg: 121 ± 13 mmHg) using an automated, self-inflating cuff system during baseline testing. In subsequent sessions, using a randomized, cross-over design, participants completed one of two experimental conditions: (1) Low-load + BFR and (2) High load + non-BFR. In both conditions, participants completed one set of back squats at either 30% (BFR) or 60% (non-BFR) of an estimated 1RM for a max of 30 repetitions, followed by three additional sets with the same loads and a target of 15 repetitions per set. Blood lactate and countermovement jump (CMJ) height were measured pre- and post-back squat. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed following each set. <b>Results:</b> When collapsed across all sets, participants completed significantly more total repetitions in the BFR condition compared to non-BFR (75.0 ± 0.0 vs. 68.23 ± 9.27 reps; <i>p</i> = 0.015; ES: 1.03), but a lower training load volume (2380 ± 728 vs. 4756 ± 1538 kg; <i>p</i> < 0.001; ES: 1.97). There was a significant time-by-condition interaction (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with a greater increase in blood lactate occurring from baseline to post-back squat in the non-BFR condition (11.61 mmol/L, 95%CI: 9.93, 13.28 mmol/L) compared to BFR (5.98 mmol/L, 95%CI: 4.30, 7.65 mmol/L). There was another significant time-by-condition interaction (<i>p</i> = 0.043), with a greater reduction in CMJ occurring in the non-BFR condition (−6.01, 95%CI: −9.14, −2.88 cm; <i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to BFR (−1.50, 95%CI: −1.50, 4.51 cm; <i>p</i> = 0.312). <b>Conclusions:</b> Utilizing a low-load BFR protocol may allow for a higher training volume, yet lower metabolic stress and reduce neuromuscular fatigue compared to lifting at a higher load without the use of BFR.
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spelling doaj-art-11203e64d70a446a9715514e5dff8bdf2024-12-27T14:32:24ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422024-12-019425410.3390/jfmk9040254Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow RestrictionAndrew R. Jagim0Jordan Schuler1Elijah Szymanski2Chinguun Khurelbaatar3Makenna Carpenter4Jennifer B. Fields5Margaret T. Jones6Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Onalaska, WI 54650, USADepartment of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USAMedical College of Wisconsin-Central Wisconsin, Wausau, WI 54401, USADepartment of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USADepartment of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USAPatriot Performance Laboratory, Frank Pettrone Center for Sports Performance, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USAPatriot Performance Laboratory, Frank Pettrone Center for Sports Performance, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USABlood flow restriction (BFR) is a popular resistance exercise technique purported to increase metabolic stress and augment training adaptations over time. However, short-term use may lead to acute neuromuscular fatigue and higher exertion ratings. <b>Objective:</b> The purpose of the current study was to examine acute physiological responses to low-load resistance exercise utilizing BFR compared to higher-load, non-BFR resistance exercise. <b>Methods:</b> Recreationally trained males (n = 6) and females (n = 7) (mean ± standard deviation, age: 20 ± 1 yrs.; height: 172 ± 8 cm; weight: 73 ± 11 kg; BMI: 24.4 ± 2.2 kg·m<sup>−2</sup>; training experience: 4 ± 2 yrs.) had limb occlusion pressure determined (50%; right leg: 118 ± 11 mmHg; left leg: 121 ± 13 mmHg) using an automated, self-inflating cuff system during baseline testing. In subsequent sessions, using a randomized, cross-over design, participants completed one of two experimental conditions: (1) Low-load + BFR and (2) High load + non-BFR. In both conditions, participants completed one set of back squats at either 30% (BFR) or 60% (non-BFR) of an estimated 1RM for a max of 30 repetitions, followed by three additional sets with the same loads and a target of 15 repetitions per set. Blood lactate and countermovement jump (CMJ) height were measured pre- and post-back squat. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed following each set. <b>Results:</b> When collapsed across all sets, participants completed significantly more total repetitions in the BFR condition compared to non-BFR (75.0 ± 0.0 vs. 68.23 ± 9.27 reps; <i>p</i> = 0.015; ES: 1.03), but a lower training load volume (2380 ± 728 vs. 4756 ± 1538 kg; <i>p</i> < 0.001; ES: 1.97). There was a significant time-by-condition interaction (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with a greater increase in blood lactate occurring from baseline to post-back squat in the non-BFR condition (11.61 mmol/L, 95%CI: 9.93, 13.28 mmol/L) compared to BFR (5.98 mmol/L, 95%CI: 4.30, 7.65 mmol/L). There was another significant time-by-condition interaction (<i>p</i> = 0.043), with a greater reduction in CMJ occurring in the non-BFR condition (−6.01, 95%CI: −9.14, −2.88 cm; <i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to BFR (−1.50, 95%CI: −1.50, 4.51 cm; <i>p</i> = 0.312). <b>Conclusions:</b> Utilizing a low-load BFR protocol may allow for a higher training volume, yet lower metabolic stress and reduce neuromuscular fatigue compared to lifting at a higher load without the use of BFR.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/254blood flow restrictionstrength trainingphysiological responselower body powerrecoverymetabolic stress
spellingShingle Andrew R. Jagim
Jordan Schuler
Elijah Szymanski
Chinguun Khurelbaatar
Makenna Carpenter
Jennifer B. Fields
Margaret T. Jones
Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
blood flow restriction
strength training
physiological response
lower body power
recovery
metabolic stress
title Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction
title_full Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction
title_fullStr Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction
title_full_unstemmed Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction
title_short Acute Responses of Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction
title_sort acute responses of low load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction
topic blood flow restriction
strength training
physiological response
lower body power
recovery
metabolic stress
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/254
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