Introduction: This study compares the acute and chronic response of high-load resistance training (HL) to low-load resistance training with low blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) pressure.
Methods: Participants completed elbow flexion with either HL or LL-BFR or nonexercise. In the chronic study, participants in the HL and LL-BFR groups were trained for 8 weeks to determine differences in muscle size and strength. The acute study examined the changes in pretesting/posttesting (Pre/Post) torque, muscle swelling, and blood lactate.
Results: In the chronic study, similar changes in muscle size and strength were observed for both HL and LL-BFR. In the acute study, Pre/Post changes in the torque, muscle swelling, and blood lactate were similar between HL and LL-BFR.
Discussion: Our findings indicate that pressure as low as 50% arterial occlusion can produce similar changes in muscle mass and strength compared with traditional HL. Muscle Nerve 56: E126-E133, 2017.
Keywords: acute responses; cell swelling; elbow flexor training; exercise; hypertrophy; occlusion training.
© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.