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01-07-2018 | Original Article

Moderately heavy exercise produces lower cardiovascular, RPE, and discomfort compared to lower load exercise with and without blood flow restriction

Authors: Zachary W. Bell, Samuel L. Buckner, Matthew B. Jessee, J. Grant Mouser, Kevin T. Mattocks, Scott J. Dankel, Takashi Abe, Jeremy P. Loenneke

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 7/2018

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the acute cardiovascular and perceptual responses of low-load exercise with or without blood flow restriction and compare those responses to that of moderately heavy exercise.

Methods

Twenty-two participants completed unilateral elbow flexion exercise with a moderately heavy-load- [70% one-repetition maximum (1RM); 70/0] and with three low-load conditions (15% 1RM) in combination with 0% (15/0), 40%, (15/40) and 80% (15/80) arterial occlusion pressure. Participants exercised until failure (or until 90 repetitions per set). The cardiovascular response (arterial occlusion) was measured pre and post exercise and the perceptual responses [ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and discomfort] were determined before and after each set of exercise.

Results

For arterial occlusion pressure, the lower-load conditions had greater change from pre to post compared to 70/00 (e.g., 15/80: 44 vs. 70/0: 34 mmHg). RPE was highest across the sets for the 15/80 condition with the other conditions having similar RPE (e.g., set 4: median rating of 17.2 for 15/80 vs. ~ 15.5 for other conditions). Ratings of discomfort were also greatest for the 15/80 condition (15/80 > 15/40 > 15/0 > 70/0). Exercise volume within the 15/0 and 15/40 conditions were similar but were significantly greater than that observed with the 15/80 and 70/0 conditions.

Conclusion

Low-load exercise to volitional failure results in a greater cardiovascular response to that of moderately heavy-load exercise. When high pressure is applied to low load exercise, there is a reduction in exercise volume but an elevated perceptual response that may be an important consideration when applying this stimulus in practice.

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Title: Moderately heavy exercise produces lower cardiovascular, RPE, and discomfort compared to lower load exercise with and without blood flow restriction
Authors: Zachary W. Bell
Samuel L. Buckner
Matthew B. Jessee
J. Grant Mouser
Kevin T. Mattocks
Scott J. Dankel
Takashi Abe
Jeremy P. Loenneke
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3877-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Moderately heavy exercise produces lower cardiovascular, RPE, and discomfort compared to lower load exercise with and without blood flow restriction

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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