Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions
Abstract The study aimed to evaluate the impact of blood flow restriction (BFR) used only before sets of isokinetic knee extensions on torque and muscle activity of the Rectus Femoris muscle. Twenty healthy physically active males (age = 22.7 ± 6.7 years; body mass = 83.0 ± 15.9 kg; body height = 18...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15562-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849226349734002688 |
|---|---|
| author | Krzysztof Fostiak Marta Bichwoska-Paweska Robert Trybulski Dan Iulian Alexe Michal Wilk |
| author_facet | Krzysztof Fostiak Marta Bichwoska-Paweska Robert Trybulski Dan Iulian Alexe Michal Wilk |
| author_sort | Krzysztof Fostiak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The study aimed to evaluate the impact of blood flow restriction (BFR) used only before sets of isokinetic knee extensions on torque and muscle activity of the Rectus Femoris muscle. Twenty healthy physically active males (age = 22.7 ± 6.7 years; body mass = 83.0 ± 15.9 kg; body height = 180.8 ± 8.3 cm) performed three experimental sessions in a random crossover design (BFR - with blood flow restriction; control - without BFR, Sham). In the BFR and Sham conditions cuffs were applied for 5 min and released 1 min prior to each set of isokinetic knee extensions. The pressure of the cuffs was 80% AOP (arterial occlusion pressure) for BFR conditions and 20 mmHg for Sham conditions. For Control conditions no restriction was applied. Experimental sessions consisted of 5 sets of 3 isokinetic knee extensions (180°/s) with 6.5-min rest intervals between sets. The repetitions were performed with maximal effort. During the concentric phase of the exercise peak torques and peak electromyographic activity of Rectus Femoris muscle were gathered. The eccentric phase was passive. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA did not show statistically significant condition × set interaction for peak torque and muscle activity. There was also no main effect of condition as well as no main effect of set for peak torque and muscle activity. The results of this study indicate that BFR intra-conditioning (5 min; 80% AOP; 1 min reperfusion) did not significantly affect strength performance or Rectus Femoris EMG activity. However, the lack of performance decline suggests it does not impair neuromuscular output, which may be beneficial in high-load training with long rest intervals. Previous research shows that BFR may induce adaptive changes not examined here. Further studies should explore these adaptations and the effects of varying BFR parameters, intensities, and work to rest ratios. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-55c754eb011a4bbda02ce246c72f5697 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-55c754eb011a4bbda02ce246c72f56972025-08-24T11:23:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-011511910.1038/s41598-025-15562-zAcute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensionsKrzysztof Fostiak0Marta Bichwoska-Paweska1Robert Trybulski2Dan Iulian Alexe3Michal Wilk4Gdansk University of Physical Education and SportGdansk University of Physical Education and SportMedical Department, Wojciech Korfanty Upper Silesian AcademyDepartment of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Alecsandri” University of BacăuJerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceAbstract The study aimed to evaluate the impact of blood flow restriction (BFR) used only before sets of isokinetic knee extensions on torque and muscle activity of the Rectus Femoris muscle. Twenty healthy physically active males (age = 22.7 ± 6.7 years; body mass = 83.0 ± 15.9 kg; body height = 180.8 ± 8.3 cm) performed three experimental sessions in a random crossover design (BFR - with blood flow restriction; control - without BFR, Sham). In the BFR and Sham conditions cuffs were applied for 5 min and released 1 min prior to each set of isokinetic knee extensions. The pressure of the cuffs was 80% AOP (arterial occlusion pressure) for BFR conditions and 20 mmHg for Sham conditions. For Control conditions no restriction was applied. Experimental sessions consisted of 5 sets of 3 isokinetic knee extensions (180°/s) with 6.5-min rest intervals between sets. The repetitions were performed with maximal effort. During the concentric phase of the exercise peak torques and peak electromyographic activity of Rectus Femoris muscle were gathered. The eccentric phase was passive. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA did not show statistically significant condition × set interaction for peak torque and muscle activity. There was also no main effect of condition as well as no main effect of set for peak torque and muscle activity. The results of this study indicate that BFR intra-conditioning (5 min; 80% AOP; 1 min reperfusion) did not significantly affect strength performance or Rectus Femoris EMG activity. However, the lack of performance decline suggests it does not impair neuromuscular output, which may be beneficial in high-load training with long rest intervals. Previous research shows that BFR may induce adaptive changes not examined here. Further studies should explore these adaptations and the effects of varying BFR parameters, intensities, and work to rest ratios.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15562-zBlood flow restrictionIschemiaResistance exercisesSports performanceOcclusion |
| spellingShingle | Krzysztof Fostiak Marta Bichwoska-Paweska Robert Trybulski Dan Iulian Alexe Michal Wilk Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions Scientific Reports Blood flow restriction Ischemia Resistance exercises Sports performance Occlusion |
| title | Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions |
| title_full | Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions |
| title_fullStr | Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions |
| title_short | Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions |
| title_sort | acute effects of bfr intra conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions |
| topic | Blood flow restriction Ischemia Resistance exercises Sports performance Occlusion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15562-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT krzysztoffostiak acuteeffectsofbfrintraconditioningontorqueandmuscleactivityoftherectusfemorismuscleduringisokinetickneeextensions AT martabichwoskapaweska acuteeffectsofbfrintraconditioningontorqueandmuscleactivityoftherectusfemorismuscleduringisokinetickneeextensions AT roberttrybulski acuteeffectsofbfrintraconditioningontorqueandmuscleactivityoftherectusfemorismuscleduringisokinetickneeextensions AT daniulianalexe acuteeffectsofbfrintraconditioningontorqueandmuscleactivityoftherectusfemorismuscleduringisokinetickneeextensions AT michalwilk acuteeffectsofbfrintraconditioningontorqueandmuscleactivityoftherectusfemorismuscleduringisokinetickneeextensions |