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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-08-2019 | Original Article

Leg- vs arm-cycling repeated sprints with blood flow restriction and systemic hypoxia

Authors: Sarah J. Willis, Fabio Borrani, Grégoire P. Millet

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 8/2019

Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to compare changes in peripheral and cerebral oxygenation, as well as metabolic and performance responses during conditions of blood flow restriction (BFR, bilateral vascular occlusion at 0% vs. 45% of resting pulse elimination pressure) and systemic hypoxia (~ 400 m, F_IO₂ 20.9% vs. ~ 3800 m normobaric hypoxia, F_IO₂ 13.1 ± 0.1%) during repeated sprint tests to exhaustion (RST) between leg- and arm-cycling exercises.

Methods

Seven participants (26.6 ± 2.9 years old; 74.0 ± 13.1 kg; 1.76 ± 0.09 m) performed four sessions of RST (10-s maximal sprints with 20-s recovery until exhaustion) during both leg and arm cycling to measure power output and metabolic equivalents as well as oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) of the muscle tissue and prefrontal cortex.

Results

Mean power output was lower in arms than legs (316 ± 118 vs. 543 ± 127 W; p < 0.001) and there were no differences between conditions for a given limb. Arms demonstrated greater changes in concentration of deoxyhemoglobin (∆[HHb], − 9.1 ± 6.1 vs. − 6.5 ± 5.6 μm) and total hemoglobin concentration (∆[tHb], 15.0 ± 10.8 vs. 11.9 ± 7.9 μm), as well as the absolute maximum tissue saturation index (TSI, 62.0 ± 8.3 vs. 59.3 ± 8.1%) than legs, respectively (p < 0.001), demonstrating a greater capacity for oxygen extraction. Further, there were greater changes in tissue blood volume [tHb] during BFR only compared to all other conditions (p < 0.01 for all).

Conclusions

The combination of BFR and/or hypoxia led to increased changes in [HHb] and [tHb] likely due to greater vascular resistance, to which arms were more responsive than legs.

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Title: Leg- vs arm-cycling repeated sprints with blood flow restriction and systemic hypoxia
Authors: Sarah J. Willis
Fabio Borrani
Grégoire P. Millet
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04171-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Leg- vs arm-cycling repeated sprints with blood flow restriction and systemic hypoxia

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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