Purpose: Blood flow restricted resistance exercise (BFR-RE) is an emerging hypertrophy training modality. A complete profile of its mechanisms of action has yet to be elucidated. Cytokines are universal intercellular messengers. Recent research has implicated certain cytokines (termed "myokines") in skeletal muscle hypertrophy pathways; however, little research has been conducted on the systemic myokine response to BFR-RE as potential hypertrophic biomarkers. Therefore, this project was conducted to determine any differences in the systemic myokine response between BFR-RE and control conditions.
Methods: The appearance of systemic myokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-15 (IL-15), and decorin were measured following acute bouts of low-load resistance exercise, BFR-RE, and high-load resistance exercise in physically active young males to determine if BFR-RE modifies the exercise-induced systemic myokine response.
Results: No measurable levels of IL-6 were observed during the project. No significant effects were observed for IL-15. A significant time (11.91% increase pre to post exercise; p < 0.05) but no condition or condition by time effect was observed for decorin.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that BFR-RE does not modify the systemic myokine appearance of IL-6, IL-15, or decorin when compared to control conditions.
Keywords: BFR; Cell signalling; Exercise immunology; KAATSU; Weight lifting.