Blood flow-restricted training does not improve jump performance in untrained young men

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of blood flow-restricted training (BFRT) on jump performance in relation to changes in muscle strength. Seventeen untrained young men were assigned into either BFRT or normal training (NORT) groups and performed low-intensity [30-40% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)] resistance exercise (horizontal squat, 3-4 sets × 15-30 repetitions) twice a week for 10 weeks. The BFRT performed the exercise with their proximal thighs compressed by air-pressure cuffs for the purpose of blood flow restriction. Squat 1RM, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of quadriceps femoris, and countermovement jump (CMJ) height were measured before and after the 10-wk training period. Squat 1RM increased greater in BFRT than in NORT (19.3% vs. 9.7%, P < 0.01). Although the CSA increase was independent of groups, it tended to be larger in BFRT than in NORT (8.3% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.094). On the other hand, CMJ height did not change after the training (P = 0.51). In conclusion, the present study showed that BFRT induced muscle hypertrophy and strength increase, whereas it did not increase CMJ height in previously untrained young men. It is suggested that BFRT is ineffective in improving jump performance.

Effect of strength training with blood flow restriction on muscle power and submaximal strength in eumenorrheic women

“…As the muscle power gains depend mainly on neural adaptations, the use of low intensity with BFR may not be a good strategy for increasing power. In this sense, the results of Madarame et al (2011) corroborate our findings. These authors found that ST with BFR does not improve muscle power of lower limbs, based on submitting 17 young men to horizontal squat training with BFR twice a week for 10 weeks.…”

“…In this sense, the results of Madarame et al . () corroborate our findings. These authors found that ST with BFR does not improve muscle power of lower limbs, based on submitting 17 young men to horizontal squat training with BFR twice a week for 10 weeks.…”

“…Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the effects of ST with and without BFR on the muscle power and SS of upper and lower limbs in eumenorrheic women. Low intensity with BFR exercise has been shown to improve the LME (Takarada et al ., ; Kacin & Strazar, ; Fahs et al ., ), but its effects on muscle power were not established (Madarame et al ., ; Cook et al ., ; Fahs et al ., ). We hypothesized that low‐intensity ST performed with BFR would significantly increase SS compared to high‐intensity and low‐intensity training.…”

“…This training method is as effective as training at high intensities (≥80% of 1RM) (Laurentino et al, 2012;Mart ın-Hern andez et al, 2013) and has been used to increase strength (Shinohara et al, 1998;Takarada et al, 2000;Laurentino et al, 2012), muscle size (Takarada et al, 2000;Laurentino et al, 2012) and local muscular endurance (LME) (Takarada et al, 2002;Kacin & Strazar, 2011;Fahs et al, 2015). A characteristic of this method is the low mechanical stress on the muscle and joints; thus, low-intensity BFR exercise may be particularly useful for elderly and clinical populations; however, its effects on muscle power were not established (Madarame et al, 2011;Cook et al, 2014;Fahs et al, 2015).…”

Postexercise blood flow restriction does not enhance muscle hypertrophy induced by multiple‐set high‐load resistance exercise

“…Although some studies recommend adjusting cuff pressure relative to thigh circumference, the relation between the extent of blood flow restriction and muscle hypertrophy remains unclear. Therefore, we started with the same initial pressure and increased it in a stepwise manner as previous training studies did (Madarame et al, 2011;Yasuda et al, 2012;Weatherholt et al, 2013). As one of the participants complained discomfort during the compression at 150 mmHg, the pressure for the participant was kept at 140 mmHg for the rest of the intervention period.…”