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Perceptual responses to continuous versus intermittent blood flow restriction exercise: A randomized controlled trial
Eduardo D S Freitas1, Ryan M Miller1, Aaron D Heishman1
1Department of Health and Exercise Science, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|October 21, 2019
Summary
Continuous and intermittent blood flow restriction (BFR) during resistance exercise elicit similar perceptual responses, higher than low-load exercise alone but lower than high-load exercise. Discomfort levels were comparable between BFR and high-load conditions.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Blood flow restriction (BFR) is increasingly utilized in resistance exercise (RE) to enhance physiological adaptations.
- Understanding the perceptual responses to different BFR protocols is crucial for optimizing training.
- Continuous (cBFR) and intermittent (iBFR) BFR present distinct application methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the perceptual responses, specifically ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and discomfort, between cBFR and iBFR during low-load RE.
- To compare these BFR conditions against low-load exercise without BFR (LI) and traditional high-load RE (HI).
Main Methods:
- Fourteen males performed bilateral leg press and knee extension exercises under four conditions: cBFR, iBFR, LI, and HI.
- Low-load conditions used 20% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) with 30-15-15-15 repetitions; HI used 70% 1-RM with 4x10 repetitions.
- RPE and discomfort were measured using psychometric scales post-set.
Main Results:
- RPE was significantly higher in both cBFR and iBFR compared to LI, and significantly lower than HI.
- No significant differences in RPE were found between cBFR and iBFR.
- Discomfort was similar between cBFR and iBFR during early leg press sets, but cBFR induced greater discomfort later.
- Discomfort was similar between BFR conditions and HI, and significantly greater than LI for both exercises.
Conclusions:
- Both cBFR and iBFR yield comparable perceptual responses during low-load RE.
- These BFR protocols induce greater perceived exertion than LI but less than HI.
- Discomfort perception is similar between BFR and HI, and higher than LI, with potential differences between cBFR and iBFR in specific exercises/sets.
