The acute respiratory response to blood‐flow restriction resistance exercise in healthy adults: A randomized crossover trial

Figures

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  FIGURE 1. Overview of the resistance exercise protocols. (a) Schematic of the study setup showing the application of BFR cuffs, the use of a leg press machine, and breath‐by‐breath gas analysis equipment. (b) Timeline detailing the sequence of sets, breaks, and post‐exercise periods for high‐load resistance exercise (HL‐TRA) and low‐load blood flow restricted exercise (LL‐BFR). (c) Comprehensive summary of load and repetition parameters for both LL‐BFR and HL‐TRA protocols. 1RM, one repetition maximum; Reps, repetitions; LL‐BFR, low‐load blood flow restricted exercise; HL‐TRA, high‐load resistance exercise. *Denotes cuff inflation/deflation, specific to LL‐BFR.

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  FIGURE 2. Flow chart. LL‐BFR: low‐load blood flow restricted exercise; HL‐TRA: high‐load resistance exercise.

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  FIGURE 3. Acute cardiorespiratory responses during resistance exercise with low‐load blood flow restriction (LL‐BFR) and high‐load traditional resistance exercise (HL‐TRA). Panel shows ventilation (VE). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation for each condition: LL‐BFR (red line) and HL‐TRA (blue line). Brackets with mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) indicate statistically significant between‐condition differences across the exercise period.

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  FIGURE 4. Acute cardiorespiratory responses during resistance exercise with low‐load blood flow restriction (LL‐BFR) and high‐load traditional resistance exercise (HL‐TRA). Panel A shows oxygen uptake (VO2), Panel B shows carbon dioxide output (VCO2), Panel C displays tidal volume (VT), and Panel D represents breathing rate (BR) across time points. Measurements were taken at rest, during each exercise set (Set1–Set4), during intra‐session breaks (Break1–Break3), and during post‐exercise recovery (Post1–Post2). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation for each condition: LL‐BFR (red line) and HL‐TRA (blue line). Brackets with mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) indicate statistically significant between‐condition differences across the exercise period.

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  FIGURE 5. Perceived exertion during low‐load blood flow restriction (LL‐BFR) and high‐load traditional resistance exercise (HL‐TRA). Panel A shows the rating of perceived exertion for breathing (RPE Breathing), and Panel B shows the rating of perceived exertion for the legs (RPE Leg) assessed at rest, during each exercise set (Set1–Set4), and post‐exercise recovery (Post1 and Post2). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation for each condition: LL‐BFR (red line) and HL‐TRA (blue line). Brackets with mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) indicate statistically significant between‐condition differences across the exercise period.