Resistance Trained Women's Response to Blood Flow Restriction Training

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

Low-load resistance training (20-30% one-repetition max (1RM)) with blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) is able to induce similar strength, hypertrophic, and vascular adaptations to traditional high-load resistance training (>65% 1RM) (HIRT). Minimal research has been conducted examining the combination of HIRT and BFR (HIRT+BFR). Of the available research, the results are inconsistent, and none have looked at an exclusively female sample. With the lack of female participants in this specific area of research and training research in general, the need for further research in female subjects is necessary, as there are potential physiological adaptations from what is observed in males. The three studies of this dissertation were conducted to understand the physiological, vascular, and hormonal adaptations to HIRT+BFR training in resistance trained women. In study 1, 4-weeks of a lower-body HIRT+BFR training was implemented to determine changes in strength, muscle activation, movement velocity, and peak power. Results indicate similar adaptations between HIRT+BFR and HIRT alone for all measurements (all p > 0.05) except bar velocity during deadlift 1RM, where HIRT+BFR presented a decrease post-training (p < 0.05). Study 2 examined changes to vascular reactivity after the same 4-weeks of HIRT+BFR training. HIRT+BFR and HIRT produced similar changes to femoral and tibial arterial measurements (all p > 0.05). Acutely, during the initial 1RM testing session, the HIRT+BFR group significantly increased femoral artery time-averaged mean velocity (TAMV) from pre- to post- exercise (p = 0.007). During the final 1RM testing session there was also a time effect for femoral artery TAMV (p = 0.005), though only the HIRT group was significantly increased (p = 0.023). Study 3 examined the hormonal response to an acute bout of lower-body HIRT+BFR. There were no significant changes to dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in either group (all p > 0.05). Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), however, did trend towards a time effect (p = 0.051), where the HIRT+BFR group significantly increased post-exercise (p = 0.025). The combination of HIRT and BFR does not seem to enhance performance or vascular adaptations but may promote greater hormonal responses over HIRT alone.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
blood flow restriction, resistance training, strength training
Citation