The effect of strength training of the calf muscle pump on cardiovascular parameters

Impacts of Varying Blood Flow Restriction Cuff Size and Material on Arterial, Venous and Calf Muscle Pump-Mediated Blood Flow

“…Our data specifically reinforce that BFR protocol standardization-optimally via AOP assessment-is imperative when applying cuff pressure and that arbitrarily prescribed pressures may produce deleterious consequences [7]. Furthermore, the current investigation uniquely underscores a putative role regarding the cMP in BFR exercise and its potential to facilitate sufficient training volume [16]. As the associated research and industry prodigiously grow, it is abundantly clear that research has a fundamental responsibility to continually ensure both efficacy and safety amongst existing and emerging BFR-implementing strategies.…”

“…The cMP is the most physiologically imperative existing muscle pump due to a relatively large capacitance and concomitantly high pressures generated; it is ultimately facilitated by muscle contraction-mediated blood vessel compression (particularly veins), and subsequent muscle relaxation suctions and/or tethers the blood vessels open to augment venous return [16,45]. Prior to the current investigation, the potential implications of the cMP have been wholly undetailed and have only been hypothetically considered amidst the existing BFR literature [15].…”

“…Conversely, we provide evidence that venous MP blood flow is potentially a common phenomenon, as it occurred with both the narrow-elastic and wide-rigid cuffs. Previous authors have mixed interpretations as to whether the cMP plays a vital or inconsequential role in the maintenance of muscular performance [15,16,46]. Kilgas et al [15] and Singer et al [47] cumulatively present data suggesting that higher cuff pressure-mediated attenuations in overall limb blood flow may be rescued by concomitant enhancements in cMP-associated venous return.…”

“…It is hitherto unknown whether AOP can be determined with this cuff to both ensure standardization and general venous blood flow cessation, especially considering previous evidence whereby arterial occlusion could not be reached with similar narrow-elastic devices [13]. Furthermore, the calf muscle pump (cMP) represents one of the most physiologically imperative contributors towards dynamic exercise blood flow maintenance, and its role is wholly undescribed in BFR training [15,16]. The purpose of this investigation was therefore to (1) determine the viability of this novel BFR cuff design's recommended and largest sizes on AOP assessment and (2) compare the impact of the aforementioned sizes and a widely employed wide-rigid, tourniquet-style cuff on cMP-mediated blood flow.…”