scholarly journals Low-load resistance training to task failure with and without blood flow restriction: muscular functional and structural adaptations

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (2) ◽  
pp. R284-R295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Pignanelli ◽  
Heather L. Petrick ◽  
Fatemeh Keyvani ◽  
George J. F. Heigenhauser ◽  
Joe Quadrilatero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
Muscle Endurance ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Muscle Adaptations ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Adaptations

The application of blood flow restriction (BFR) during resistance exercise is increasingly recognized for its ability to improve rehabilitation and for its effectiveness in increasing muscle hypertrophy and strength among healthy populations. However, direct comparison of the skeletal muscle adaptations to low-load resistance exercise (LL-RE) and low-load BFR resistance exercise (LL-BFR) performed to task failure is lacking. Using a within-subject design, we examined whole muscle group and skeletal muscle adaptations to 6 wk of LL-RE and LL-BFR training to repetition failure. Muscle strength and size outcomes were similar for both types of training, despite ~33% lower total exercise volume (load × repetition) with LL-BFR than LL-RE (28,544 ± 1,771 vs. 18,949 ± 1,541 kg, P = 0.004). After training, only LL-BFR improved the average power output throughout the midportion of a voluntary muscle endurance task. Specifically, LL-BFR training sustained an 18% greater power output from baseline and resulted in a greater change from baseline than LL-RE (19 ± 3 vs. 3 ± 4 W, P = 0.008). This improvement occurred despite histological analysis revealing similar increases in capillary content of type I muscle fibers following LL-RE and LL-BFR training, which was primarily driven by increased capillary contacts (4.53 ± 0.23 before training vs. 5.33 ± 0.27 and 5.17 ± 0.25 after LL-RE and LL-BFR, respectively, both P < 0.05). Moreover, maximally supported mitochondrial respiratory capacity increased only in the LL-RE leg by 30% from baseline ( P = 0.006). Overall, low-load resistance training increased indexes of muscle oxidative capacity and strength, which were not further augmented with the application of BFR. However, performance on a muscle endurance test was improved following BFR training.

scholarly journals Acute cellular and molecular responses and chronic adaptations to low-load blood flow restriction and high-load resistance exercise in trained individuals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie J. Davids ◽  
Tore C. Næss ◽  
Maria Moen ◽  
Kristoffer Toldnes Cumming ◽  
Oscar Horwath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
High Load ◽  
Training Groups ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Muscle Biopsies

Blood flow restriction (BFR) with low-load resistance exercise (RE) is often used as a surrogate to traditional high-load RE to stimulate muscular adaptations, such as hypertrophy and strength. However, it is not clear whether such adaptations are achieved through similar cellular and molecular processes. We compared changes in muscle function, morphology and signaling pathways between these differing training protocols. Twenty-one males and females (mean ± SD: 24.3 ± 3.1 years) experienced with resistance training (4.9 ± 2.6 years) performed nine weeks of resistance training (three times per week) with either high-loads (75-80% 1RM; HL-RT), or low-loads with BFR (30-40% 1RM; LL-BFR). Before and after the training intervention, resting muscle biopsies were collected, and quadricep cross-sectional area (CSA), muscular strength and power were measured. Approximately 5 days following the intervention, the same individuals performed an additional 'acute' exercise session under the same conditions, and serial muscle biopsies were collected to assess hypertrophic- and ribosomal-based signaling stimuli. Quadricep CSA increased with both LL-BFR (7.4±4.3%) and HL-RT (4.6±2.9%), with no significant differences between training groups (p=0.37). Muscular strength also increased in both training groups, but with superior gains in squat 1RM occurring with HL-RT (p<0.01). Acute phosphorylation of several key proteins involved in hypertrophy signaling pathways, and expression of ribosomal RNA transcription factors occurred to a similar degree with LL-BFR and HL-RT (all p>0.05 for between-group comparisons). Together, these findings validate low-load resistance training with continuous BFR as an effective alternative to traditional high-load resistance training for increasing muscle hypertrophy in trained individuals.

Acute skeletal muscle responses to very low‐load resistance exercise with and without the application of blood flow restriction in the upper body

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel L. Buckner ◽  
Matthew B. Jessee ◽  
Scott J. Dankel ◽  
Kevin T. Mattocks ◽  
J. Grant Mouser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Muscle Responses

scholarly journals Proliferation of myogenic stem cells in human skeletal muscle in response to low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction

2012 ◽  
Vol 590 (17) ◽  
pp. 4351-4361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Lindberg Nielsen ◽  
Per Aagaard ◽  
Rune Dueholm Bech ◽  
Tobias Nygaard ◽  
Lars Grøndahl Hvid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Myogenic Stem Cells ◽  
Low Load

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Impact on Musculoskeletal Strength and Mass

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 263502542110326
Author(s):  
Steven R. Dayton ◽  
Simon J. Padanilam ◽  
Tyler C. Sylvester ◽  
Michael J. Boctor ◽  
Vehniah K. Tjong
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
High Load ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Occlusion Pressure ◽  
Total Occlusion ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Low Load

Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training restricts arterial inflow and venous outflow from the extremity and can produce gains in muscle strength at low loads. Low-load training reduces joint stress and decreases cardiovascular risk when compared with high-load training, thus making BFR an excellent option for many patients requiring rehabilitation. Indications: Blood flow restriction has shown clinical benefit in a variety of patient populations including healthy patients as well as those with osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, and Achilles tendon rupture. Technique Description: This video demonstrates BFR training in 3 clinical areas: upper extremity resistance training, lower extremity resistance training, and low-intensity cycling. All applications of BFR first require determination of total occlusion pressure. Upper extremity training requires inflating the tourniquet to 50% of total occlusion pressure, while lower extremity exercises use 80% of total occlusion pressure. Low-load resistance training exercises follow a specific repetition scheme: 30 reps followed by a 30-second rest and then 3 sets of 15 reps with 30-seconds rest between each. During cycle training, 80% total occlusion pressure is used as the patient cycles for 15 minutes without rest. Results: Augmenting low-load resistance training with BFR increases muscle strength when compared with low-load resistance alone. In addition, low-load BFR has demonstrated an increase in muscle mass greater than low-load training alone and equivalent to high-load training absent BFR. A systematic review determined the safety of low-load training with BFR is comparable to traditional high-intensity resistance training. The most common adverse effects include exercise intolerance, discomfort, and dull pain which are also frequent in patients undergoing traditional resistance training. Severe adverse effects including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and rhabdomyolysis are exceedingly rare, less than 0.006% according to a national survey. Patients undergoing BFR rehabilitation experience less perceived exertion and demonstrate decreased pain scores compared with high-load resistance training. Conclusion: Blood flow restriction training is an effective alternative to high-load resistance training for patients requiring musculoskeletal rehabilitation for multiple disease processes as well as in the perioperative setting. Blood flow restriction has been shown to be a safe training modality when managed by properly trained physical therapists and athletic trainers.

scholarly journals Low-load blood flow restriction training induces similar morphological and mechanical Achilles tendon adaptations compared with high-load resistance training

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (6) ◽  
pp. 1660-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Centner ◽  
Benedikt Lauber ◽  
Olivier R. Seynnes ◽  
Simon Jerger ◽  
Tim Sohnius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
High Load ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Tendon Properties

Low-load blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) training has gained increasing interest in the scientific community by demonstrating that increases in muscle mass and strength are comparable to conventional high-load (HL) resistance training. Although adaptations on the muscular level are well documented, there is little evidence on how LL-BFR training affects human myotendinous properties. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate morphological and mechanical Achilles tendon adaptations after 14 wk of strength training. Fifty-five male volunteers (27.9 ± 5.1 yr) were randomly allocated into the following three groups: LL-BFR [20–35% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)], HL (70–85% 1RM), or a nonexercising control (CON) group. The LL-BFR and HL groups completed a resistance training program for 14 wk, and tendon morphology, mechanical as well as material properties, and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and isometric strength were assessed before and after the intervention. Both HL (+40.7%) and LL-BFR (+36.1%) training induced significant increases in tendon stiffness ( P < 0.05) as well as tendon CSA (HL: +4.6%, LL-BFR: +7.8%, P < 0.001). These changes were comparable between groups without significant changes in Young’s modulus. Furthermore, gastrocnemius medialis muscle CSA and plantar flexor strength significantly increased in both training groups ( P < 0.05), whereas the CON group did not show significant changes in any of the evaluated parameters. In conclusion, the adaptive change in Achilles tendon properties following low-load resistance training with partial vascular occlusion appears comparable to that evoked by high-load resistance training. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Low-load blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) training has been shown to induce beneficial adaptations at the muscular level. However, studies examining the effects on human tendon properties are rare. The findings provide first evidence that LL-BFR can increase Achilles tendon mechanical and morphological properties to a similar extent as conventional high-load resistance training. This is of particular importance for individuals who may not tolerate heavy training loads but still aim for improvements in myotendinous function.

Time course of regional vascular adaptations to low load resistance training with blood flow restriction

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E. A. Hunt ◽  
Dermot Galea ◽  
Graham Tufft ◽  
Danny Bunce ◽  
Richard A. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Popliteal Artery ◽  
Reactive Hyperemia ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
T Test ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Transient Improvement

Distortion to hemodynamic and ischemic stimuli during blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise may influence regional vascular adaptation. We examined changes at the conduit, resistance, and capillary level in response to low load resistance exercise with BFR. Eleven males (22 ± 3 yr, 178 ± 4 cm, 78 ± 9 kg) completed 6 wk (3 days/wk) unilateral plantar flexion training with BFR at 30% 1 repetition maximum (1-RM). The contralateral leg acted as a nonexercised control (CON). Popliteal artery function [flow-mediated dilation, FMD%] and structure [maximal diameter] and resistance vessel structure [peak reactive hyperemia] were assessed using Doppler ultrasound before and at 2-wk intervals. Calf filtration capacity was assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography before and after training. BFR training elicited an early increase in peak reactive hyperemia (1,400 ± 278 vs. 1,716 ± 362 ml/min at 0 vs. 2 wk; t-test: P = 0.047), a transient improvement in popliteal FMD% (5.0 ± 2.1, 7.6 ± 2.9, 6.6 ± 2.1, 5.7 ± 1.6% at 0, 2, 4 and 6 wk, respectively; ANOVA: P = 0.002), and an increase in maximum diameter (6.06 ± 0.44 vs. 6.26 ± 0.39 mm at 0 vs. 6 wk; Bonferroni t-test: P = 0.048). Capillary filtration increased after 6 wk BFR training ( P = 0.043). No changes in the CON leg were observed. Adaptation occurred at all levels of the vascular tree in response to low load resistance exercise with BFR. Enhanced peak reactive hyperemia and transient improvement in popliteal artery function occurred before changes in artery structural capacity.

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