Effects of exercise intensity and occlusion pressure after 12 weeks of resistance training with blood-flow restriction.
OBJECTIVE
We compared the effects of different protocols of blood-flow restriction training (BFRT) with different occlusion pressures and/or exercise intensities on muscle mass and strength. We also compared BFRT protocols with conventional high-intensity resistance training (RT).


METHODS
Twenty-six subjects had each leg allocated to two of five protocols. BFRT protocols were performed at either 20 or 40 % 1-RM with either 40 or 80 % occlusion pressure: BFRT20/40, BFRT20/80, BFRT40/40, and BFRT40/80. Conventional RT was performed at 80 % 1-RM (RT80) without blood-flow restriction. Maximum dynamic strength (1-RM) and quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Regarding muscle mass, increasing occlusion pressure was effective only at very low intensity (BFRT20/40 0.78 % vs. BFRT20/80 3.22 %). No additional increase was observed at higher intensities (BFRT40/40 4.45 % vs. BFRT40/80 5.30 %), with no difference between the latter protocols and RT80 (5.90 %). Exercise intensity played a role in CSA when comparing groups with similar occlusion pressure. Muscle strength was similarly increased among BFRT groups (~12.10 %) but to a lesser extent than RT80 (21.60 %).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, BFRT protocols benefit from higher occlusion pressure (80 %) when exercising at very low intensities. Conversely, occlusion pressure seems secondary to exercise intensity in more intense (40 % 1-RM) BFRT protocols. Finally, when considering muscle strength, BFRT protocols seem less effective than high-intensity RT.
School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
Manoel E
ME
Lixandrão
School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
Carlos
C
Ugrinowitsch
School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
Gilberto
G
Laurentino
Department of Physical Education, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
Cleiton A
CA
Libardi
Diagnósticos das Américas S/A (DASA), São Paulo, Brazil.
André Y
AY
Aihara
Diagnósticos das Américas S/A (DASA), São Paulo, Brazil.
Fabiano N
FN
Cardoso
School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
Valmor
V
Tricoli
School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil. hars@usp.br.
Hamilton
H
Roschel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
Exercise intensity; Muscle hypertrophy; Muscle strength; Occlusion pressure; Occlusion training; Strength training