Key result
Low-intensity resistance exercise with intermittent blood flow restriction resulted in lower perceived exertion and a lower percentage change in double product compared to continuous restriction.
Why the study?
Does low-intensity resistance exercise with intermittent or continuous blood flow restriction alter acute hemodynamic measurements and perceived exertion compared to high-intensity resistance exercise in recreationally trained men?
RCT (n=10)
Random order
Does low-intensity resistance exercise with intermittent or continuous blood flow restriction alter acute hemodynamic measurements and perceived exertion compared to high-intensity resistance exercise in recreationally trained men?
Intermittent blood flow restriction during low-intensity resistance exercise provides similar physiological responses to continuous restriction but with a lower percentage change in double product and perceived exertion.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Intermittent BFR may lower RPE during low-intensity RE; hypothesis-generating for protocol optimization, should not yet change practice.
This study compared the acute effects of low-intensity resistance exercise (RE) sessions for the upper limb with continuous and intermittent blood flow restriction (BFR) and high-intensity RE with no BFR on lactate, heart rate, double product (DP; heart rate times systolic blood pressure), and perceived exertion (RPE). Ten recreationally trained men (1-5 years strength training; age mean = 19 ± 0.82 years) performed three experimental protocols in random order: (a) low-intensity RE at 20% one-repetition maximum (1RM) with intermittent BFR (LI + IBFR), (b) low-intensity RE at 20% 1RM with continuous BFR (LI + CBFR), and (c) high-intensity RE at 80% 1RM. The three RE protocols increased lactate and DP at the end of the session ( p < .05) and increased heart rate at the end of each exercise ( p < .05). However, greater local and general RPE was observed in the high-intensity protocol compared with LI + IBFR and LI + CBFR in the lat pull-down, triceps curl, and biceps curl exercises ( p < .05). A greater percentage change in DP and lactate was observed for continuous BFR compared with intermittent BFR; however, RPE was lower for intermittent BFR. In conclusion, intermittent BFR appears to be an excellent option for physical training because it did not differ significantly from continuous BFR in any variable and promoted a lower percentage change in DP and RPE.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Neto et al. (2016) reported an RCT. Low-intensity resistance exercise with intermittent blood flow restriction vs. Low-intensity resistance exercise with continuous blood flow restriction and high-intensity resistance exercise was evaluated on Lactate, heart rate, double product, and perceived exertion (p=< .05). Low-intensity resistance exercise with intermittent blood flow restriction resulted in lower perceived exertion and a lower percentage change in double product compared to continuous restriction.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: