Blood flow restriction attenuates eccentric exercise‐induced muscle damage without perceptual and cardiovascular overload

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of high‐intensity eccentric exercise ( HI ‐ ECC ) combined with blood flow restriction ( BFR ) on muscle damage markers, and perceptual and cardiovascular responses. Nine healthy men (26 ± 1 years, BMI 24 ± 1 kg m − ²) underwent unilateral elbow extension in two conditions: without ( HI ‐ ECC ) and with BFR ( HI ‐ ECC + BFR ). The HI ‐ ECC protocol corresponded to three sets of 10 repetitions with 130% of maximal strength (1 RM ). The ratings of perceived exertion ( RPE ) and pain ( RPP ) were measured after each set. Muscle damage was evaluated by range of motion ( ROM ), upper arm circumference ( CIR ) and muscle soreness using a visual analogue scale at different moments (pre‐exercise, immediately after, 24 and 48 h postexercise). Systolic ( SBP ), diastolic ( DBP ), mean blood pressure ( MBP ) and heart rate ( HR ) were measured before exercise and after each set. RPP was higher in HI ‐ ECC + BFR than in HI ‐ ECC after each set. Range of motion decreased postexercise in both conditions; however, in HI ‐ ECC + BFR group, it returned to pre‐exercise condition earlier (post‐24 h) than HI ‐ ECC (post‐48 h). CIR increased only in HI ‐ ECC , while no difference was observed in HI ‐ ECC + BFR condition. Regarding cardiovascular responses, MBP and SBP did not change at any moment. HR showed similar increases in both conditions during exercise while DBP decreased only in HI ‐ ECC condition. Thus, BFR attenuated HI ‐ ECC ‐induced muscle damage and there was no increase in cardiovascular responses.