Perceptual changes to progressive resistance training with and without blood flow restriction

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Traditional resistance training uses high loads (e.g., 70% 1RM) to elicit adaptations.
• Blood flow restriction (BFR) training with low loads (e.g., 15% 1RM) is an emerging alternative.
• Perceptual responses like exertion and discomfort are key factors in exercise adherence and adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how perceptual responses change with repeated low-load resistance exercise using varying arterial occlusion pressures.
• To compare these changes to traditional high-load resistance exercise.
• To determine if repeated exposure to BFR influences perceived exertion and discomfort.

Main Methods:

• Participants performed low-load (15% 1RM) resistance exercise with different arterial occlusion pressures (40% and 80% of resting pressure) and high-load (70% 1RM) exercise.
• Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and discomfort were recorded after each set across 16 training sessions.
• Resting arterial occlusion pressure was measured before exercise sessions.

Main Results:

• Upper body RPE decreased significantly in the 15/40 and 15/80 BFR conditions by the end of training.
• Lower body RPE decreased in the 15/40 BFR condition.
• Discomfort decreased over time in all upper body conditions and most lower body conditions (except 15/80).

Conclusions:

• Repeated bouts of low-load resistance exercise with BFR appear to attenuate perceptual responses (RPE and discomfort) over time.
• This dampening effect suggests that BFR training may become subjectively easier with repeated exposure.
• These findings have implications for exercise prescription and adherence, particularly in rehabilitation or when high loads are contraindicated.