Effects of exercise with and without different degrees of blood flow restriction on torque and muscle activation.
Loenneke, Jeremy P. PhD 1; Kim, Daeyeol MS 2; Fahs, Christopher A. PhD 3; Thiebaud, Robert S. PhD 4; Abe, Takashi PhD 1; Larson, Rebecca D. PhD 2; Bemben, Debra A. PhD 2; Bemben, Michael G. PhD 2
[Article] Muscle & Nerve. 51(5):713-721, May 2015.

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Introduction: An unresolved question in resistance training combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) is what percentage of estimated arterial occlusion pressure provides the most robust acute muscular response.

Methods: Forty participants were assigned to Experiments 1, 2, or 3. Each experiment completed exercise protocols differing by pressure, exercise load, and/or volume. Torque was measured pre- and postexercise, and muscle activation was measured pre- and during each set.

Results: Pressure and load did not affect torque greatly. Muscle activation increased in all conditions (P < 0.05) and was higher with 30% 1RM compared with 20% 1RM. Pressure appeared to increase muscle activation from 40% to 50% arterial occlusion [66% vs. 87% maximal voluntary contraction (30% 1RM)] but was not further increased with higher pressure.

Conclusion: Different levels of BFR may alter the acute muscular response to a degree, although higher pressures do not appear to augment these changes. Muscle Nerve 51:713-721, 2015

(C) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd