title: Improving strength and power in trained athletes with 3 weeks of occlusion training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of moderate-load exercise with and without blood-flow restriction (BFR) on strength, power, and repeated-sprint ability, along with acute and chronic salivary hormonal parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty male semiprofessional rugby union athletes were randomized to a lower-body BFR intervention (an occlusion cuff inflated to 180 mmHg worn intermittently on the proximal thighs) or a control intervention that trained without occlusion in a crossover design. Experimental sessions were performed 3 times a week for 3 wk with 5 sets of 5 repetitions of bench press, leg squat, and pull-ups performed at 70% of 1-repetition maximum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater improvements were observed (occlusion training vs control) in bench press (5.4 ± 2.6 vs 3.3 ± 1.4 kg), squat (7.8 ± 2.1 vs 4.3 ± 1.4 kg), maximum sprint time (-0.03 ± 0.03 vs -0.01 ± 0.02 s), and leg power (168 ± 105 vs 68 ± 50 W). Greater exercise-induced salivary testosterone (ES 0.84-0.61) and cortisol responses (ES 0.65-0.20) were observed after the occlusion intervention sessions compared with the nonoccluded controls; however, the acute cortisol increases were attenuated across the training block.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occlusion training can potentially improve the rate of strength-training gains and fatigue resistance in trained athletes, possibly allowing greater gains from lower loading that could be of benefit during high training loads, in competitive seasons, or in a rehabilitative setting. The clear improvement in bench-press strength resulting from lower-body occlusion suggests a systemic effect of BFR training.
authors.affiliation: United Kingdom Sports Council, London, UK.
authors.forename: Christian J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Liam P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kilduff
authors.forename: C Martyn
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Beaven
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone