title: Low intensity resistance exercise training with blood flow restriction: insight into cardiovascular function, and skeletal muscle hypertrophy in humans.
abstract: Attenuated functional exercise capacity in elderly and diseased populations is a common problem, and stems primarily from physical inactivity. Decreased function and exercise capacity can be restored by maintaining muscular strength and mass, which are key factors in an independent and healthy life. Resistance exercise has been used to prevent muscle loss and improve muscular strength and mass. However, the intensities necessary for traditional resistance training to increase muscular strength and mass may be contraindicated for some at risk populations, such as diseased populations and the elderly. Therefore, an alternative exercise modality is required. Recently, blood flow restriction (BFR) with low intensity resistance exercise (LIRE) has been used for such special populations to improve their function and exercise capacity. Although BFR+LIRE has been intensively studied for a decade, a comprehensive review detailing the effects of BFR+LIRE on both skeletal muscle and vascular function is not available. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to discuss previous studies documenting the effects of BFR+LIRE on hormonal and transcriptional factors in muscle hypertrophy and vascular function, including changes in hemodynamics, and endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, George E. Whalen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84148, USA. ; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84148, USA.
authors.forename: Song-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Dong-Eui University, Busan 614-714, Korea.
authors.forename: Yi Sub
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84148, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harveson
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, George E. Whalen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84148, USA. ; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84148, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Weavil
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Korea.
authors.forename: Kook E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Seo
keywords: Blood flow restriction; Low intensity resistance exercise; Muscular hypertrophy; Vascular function