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Acute Autonomic and Perceptual Responses to Resistance Training Performed With and Without Blood Flow Restriction
Paulo H da Silva Steiger1, Tiago A F Almeida2,3, Danilo A Massini3
1Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Santa Clara Campus, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) resulted in lower perceived exertion and more repetitions compared to high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) and LIRT with blood flow restriction (LIRT-BFR). LIRT-BFR showed similar autonomic responses but higher perceived stress than LIRT.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Autonomic Nervous System Regulation
Background:
- Resistance training intensity and protocols significantly influence physiological and perceptual responses.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key indicator of autonomic nervous system balance during and after exercise.
- Understanding the acute effects of different resistance training modalities is crucial for optimizing training programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the acute effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT), low-intensity resistance training (LIRT), and LIRT with blood flow restriction (LIRT-BFR) on HRV, RPE, total load, and repetitions.
- To investigate the impact of varying resistance intensities and blood flow restriction on physiological and perceptual outcomes in trained men.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen trained young men participated in three separate training sessions: HIRT (70% 1RM), LIRT (30% 1RM), and LIRT-BFR (30% 1RM with 80 mmHg cuff pressure).
- All protocols involved six upper and lower limb exercises performed to failure, with specific rest intervals (90s for HIRT, 30s for LIRT/LIRT-BFR).
- Measurements included heart rate variability (time and frequency domains), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), total load lifted, and number of repetitions completed.
Main Results:
- Low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) resulted in a significantly lower rating of perceived exertion (RPE) compared to both HIRT and LIRT-BFR.
- The number of repetitions was significantly higher in LIRT compared to HIRT, with no significant difference between LIRT and LIRT-BFR.
- While all protocols decreased time-domain HRV parameter SDNN, no significant differences were observed in RMSSD or frequency-domain HRV parameters across conditions.
Conclusions:
- Low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) offers a less perceptually demanding stimulus with superior repetition performance compared to HIRT and LIRT-BFR.
- Low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction (LIRT-BFR) induces a higher perceptual stress, similar to HIRT, despite comparable autonomic responses to LIRT.
- These findings suggest that LIRT may be a viable alternative for individuals seeking to minimize perceived exertion while maximizing repetitions, whereas LIRT-BFR imposes a greater subjective load.
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