The Discrepancy Between External and Internal Load/Intensity during Blood Flow Restriction Exercise: Understanding...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Physical exercise leads to adaptations through repeated stimuli.
• Controlling external load and psychophysiological strain is key for training.
• A framework distinguishes external load (work) from internal load (response).

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the mismatch between external and internal load/intensity with blood flow restriction (BFR).
• To propose BFR as an additional exercise determinant.
• To provide terminological recommendations for BFR research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on BFR and exercise physiology.
• Analysis of the interplay between external and internal loads during BFR exercise.
• Discussion of BFR pressure as a determinant of exercise load.

Main Results:

• BFR with low external loads elicits physiological and perceptual responses typically seen with high loads.
• BFR can manipulate both external load (reducing total work) and internal load (increasing physiological/perceptual responses).
• BFR pressure influences both internal and external exercise load.

Conclusions:

• BFR creates a significant mismatch between external and internal exercise intensity.
• BFR should be considered an independent exercise determinant.
• Standardized terminology is recommended for clarity in BFR research and application.