Hemodynamic and neuromuscular responses to exercises performed on stable and unstable surface with and without blood flow restriction
Abstract
Description
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of circuit training
exercises on stable and unstable surface with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) on
several physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure, muscle unit activation and rate
of perceived exertion). METHODS: Sixteen recreationally active, males (age= 24.3 ±
1.2); n=8) and females (age= 23.1 ± 0.9); n=8) completed four testing sessions, no blood
flow restriction (NBFR) on a stable surface, NBFR on an unstable surface, BFR on a
stable surface, and BFR on an unstable surface. Participants performed lower body
exercises in a circuit like routine, which consisted of 6 exercises for 2 rounds.
Electromyography (EMG) electrodes were placed at one-third the distance over the
longitudinal axis of the vastus lateralis (VL) and half the distance between the greater
trochanter and lateral femoral epicondyle over the rectus femoris (RF). For the BFR
sessions, BFR cuffs were placed on the upper most portion of the thigh, with an initial
restrictive pressure (IRP) of 50 mmHg and a total restrictive pressure (TRP) depended on
their leg circumference. RESULTS: Generally, a significant (p < 0.05) leg main effect
for both EMG RMS and MDF values for RF muscle were found and significant (p<0.05)
surface and time (p<0.05) main effects were found for both EMG RMS and MDF values
for VL muscle. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences for surface
(p < 0.05) and time (p < 0.05) for heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Repeated
measures ANOVA revealed significant increases in rate of perceived exertion values for
the BFR session (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: No significant changes in several
physiological responses were observed in the present study. However, since the values
for several independent variables were generally higher compared to the other conditions,
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proper adjustments to the study procedure during circuit and BFR training may provide
benefits for cardiorespiratory system, skeletal muscle strength and size. Instability
training adds a greater emphasis on trunk muscle activation; therefore, this form of
training may also provide a new alternative way of resistance training with a greater
emphasis on trunk activation and balance.
PDF;80 pgs.
PDF;80 pgs.