Key result
Low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction acutely impaired drop jump performance similarly to non-restricted cycling, with no significant difference between conditions (p=0.31).
Why the study?
Chronic blood flow restriction training improves drop jumping and balance, but the acute effects of low-intensity blood flow restricted cycling on these indices had not been examined.
Does low intensity cycling with blood flow restriction impair drop jump and balance performance in healthy young adults compared to cycling without blood flow restriction?
RCT (n=28)
Open-label
Randomized
No
Does low intensity cycling with blood flow restriction impair drop jump and balance performance in healthy young adults compared to cycling without blood flow restriction?
Low intensity cycling with blood flow restriction acutely impairs drop jump performance similarly to non-restricted cycling, without affecting balance, but significantly increases cardiovascular load and perceived pain.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Acute low-intensity BFR cycling leaves DJ performance unchanged; leaves open whether chronic use or balance indices warrant further athlete trials.
Chronic blood flow restriction (BFR) training has been shown to improve drop jumping (DJ) and balance performance. However, the acute effects of low intensity BFR cycling on DJ and balance indices have not yet been examined. 28 healthy young adults (9 female; 21.8 ± 2.7years; 1.79 ± 0.08m; 73.9 ± 9.5kg) performed DJ and balance testing before and immediately after 20min low intensity cycling (40% of power at maximal oxygen uptake) with (BFR) and without BFR (noBFR). For DJ related parameters, no significant mode × time interactions were found (p ≥ 0.221, ηp2 ≤ 0.06). Large time effects for DJ heights and the reactive strength index were observed (p < 0.001, ηp2 ≥ 0.42). Pairwise comparison revealed notably lower values for both DJ jumping height and reactive strength index at post compared to pre (BFR: -7.4 ± 9.4%, noBFR: -4.2 ± 7.4%). No statistically significant mode × time interactions (p ≥ 0.36; ηp2 ≤ 0.01) have been observed for balance testing. Low intensity cycling with BFR results in increased (p ≤ 0.01; SMD ≥ 0.72) mean heart rate (+14 ± 8bpm), maximal heart rate (+16 ± 12 bpm), lactate (+0.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L), perceived training intensity (+2.5 ± 1.6au) and pain scores (+4.9 ± 2.2au) compared to noBFR. BFR cycling induced acutely impaired DJ performance, but balance performance was not affected, compared to noBFR cycling. Heart rate, lactate, perceived training intensity, and pain scores were increased during BFR cycling.
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Held et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Healthy (n=28). Low intensity cycling with blood flow restriction (BFR) vs. Low intensity cycling without BFR was evaluated on Drop-Jump reactive strength index (mode × time interaction) (ηp2 = 0.05, p=0.31). Low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction acutely impaired drop jump performance similarly to non-restricted cycling, with no significant difference between conditions (p=0.31).
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