Abstract
Low-intensity exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) is effective in improving muscle strength and hypertrophy. However, exaggerated exercise pressor reflex due to restricted venous outflow and metabolite accumulation triggering metaboreflex has been raised as a concern during BFR training. Additionally, the impact of BFR training on arterial vascular function remains highly controversial. PURPOSE: To evaluate hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise with and without BFR using the post-exercise ischemia (PEI) protocol and examine the acute changes in vascular function before and after BFR isometric exercise. METHODS: Nine apparently healthy young adults (5 females, 28±4 years) completed three sets of 2-minute single-arm isometric handgrip exercise (30% of maximum voluntary contraction) with or without BFR in two laboratory visits in a randomized order. A nylon blood pressure cuff was placed on the proximal end of the upper arm and inflated to 80 mmHg during BFR isometric exercise. Immediately following the cessation of isometric exercise, a 2-minute PEI was implemented to isolate the muscle metaboreflex. Beat-by-beat mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the exercise and PEI on the contralateral non-exercising arm. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of endothelial-dependent vasodilation, was assessed using ultrasound before and after the exercise. RESULTS: Compared with isometric exercise alone, ΔMAP was greater during BFR isometric exercise and PEI (set 1: 27±11 vs. 14±10 mmHg; set 2: 33±12 vs. 18±9 mmHg; set 3: 32±13 vs. 18±7 mmHg; PEI: 24±11 vs. 14±7 mmHg, all p0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater hemodynamic responses were observed during isometric exercise with BFR and PEI when compared with isometric exercise alone, suggesting that BFR training may elicit exaggerated muscle metaboreflex. Vascular function remained unchanged following BFR training.
Recommended Citation
Chen, Lin-Sheng; Manabe, Kazumasa; Zhou, Yanbing; Adebiyi, Jide; Wang, Tianyu; Okamoto, Takanobu; and Tanaka, Hirofumi
(2025)
"Exercise Pressor Reflex and Acute Vascular Response to Isometric Exercise with or without Blood Flow Restriction,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 86.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/86
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
