Acute Cardiovascular Responses after a Single Bout of Blood Flow Restriction Training

Different types of exercise might produce reductions in blood pressure (BP). One physiological mechanism that could explain the lowering adaptation effect on BP after an exercise program is an improved in baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Consequently, exploring the different methods of training and their post-exercise hypotension (PEH) becomes of interest for healthcare providers. Recently, it has been suggested that blood flow restriction training (BFR) can generate PEH. The aim of this study was to determine the acute response on cardiovascular variables after low intensity resistance training with BFR in normotensive subjects. Twenty-four male (24.38±3.88 years) performed four sets of plantar flexion at 30% 1RM (1×30 + 3×15 repetitions) with 30% of maximal occlusion pressure and 60 seconds resting period. The restrictive pressure was released during the intervals between sets. BP, heart rate (HR), blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and double product (DP) were measured in baseline, after each set of exercise and 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes and 24 hours after exercise. An immediate significant increase across the set was observed for HR values (11.5%) (p<0.05) during application the protocol. SBP and DBP values also increased during exercise although mildly (1.7% and 1%, respectively) without significant differences compared with pre-values. A post-exercise hypotension was obtained 15min post-training (SBP: -6.9%; DBP: -3%). There was no significant change in SpO2 and DP during and post-exercise with BFR. Cardiovascular responses were altered mildly during BFR-training and after the single bout. In conclusion, BFR in young normotensive humans generated post-exercise hypotension.