The Impact of Blood Flow Restrictive Exercise on Endothelial Function
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is the occlusion of blood flow during resistance exercise to elicit greater levels of skeletal muscle hypertrophy while lifting lower weights than compared to standard resistance training. Research has shown BFR with low intensity resistance training to elicit similar results in skeletal muscle hypertrophy when compared to higher intensity resistance exercises. Although results indicate similar levels of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, no research has examined the effects of BFRT on blood vessel health. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of blood flow restriction training on endothelial function. Subjects were 10 healthy males, 23.3±1.4 years, 27.3±1.2 kg/m2 who regularly participate in resistance training exercises at least 2 times per week. Subjects performed 3 sets of bicep curls at 30% of their 1 repetition maximum to failure with a blood pressure cuff maintaining 80% arterial occlusion pressure in the right arm. Endothelial function was assessed by flow mediated dilation performed before, immediately after, and one hour post BFR exercise. Preliminary data indicate BFR exercise does not alter endothelial function in healthy males. Although this is a small pilot project and future studies aim to increase the sample size in this study. Further, efforts will begin to explore plasma markers of vascular health following blood flow restriction exercise.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Leryn Reynolds
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Sports Sciences
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons, Northwest Atrium
Start Date
2-2-2019 8:00 AM
End Date
2-2-2019 12:30 PM
The Impact of Blood Flow Restrictive Exercise on Endothelial Function
Learning Commons, Northwest Atrium
Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is the occlusion of blood flow during resistance exercise to elicit greater levels of skeletal muscle hypertrophy while lifting lower weights than compared to standard resistance training. Research has shown BFR with low intensity resistance training to elicit similar results in skeletal muscle hypertrophy when compared to higher intensity resistance exercises. Although results indicate similar levels of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, no research has examined the effects of BFRT on blood vessel health. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of blood flow restriction training on endothelial function. Subjects were 10 healthy males, 23.3±1.4 years, 27.3±1.2 kg/m2 who regularly participate in resistance training exercises at least 2 times per week. Subjects performed 3 sets of bicep curls at 30% of their 1 repetition maximum to failure with a blood pressure cuff maintaining 80% arterial occlusion pressure in the right arm. Endothelial function was assessed by flow mediated dilation performed before, immediately after, and one hour post BFR exercise. Preliminary data indicate BFR exercise does not alter endothelial function in healthy males. Although this is a small pilot project and future studies aim to increase the sample size in this study. Further, efforts will begin to explore plasma markers of vascular health following blood flow restriction exercise.