Can Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Cause Blood Pressure Alterations in Healthy Young Adults

Abstract Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a trendy alternative for standard resistance exercise since it can enhance muscular strength and diameter without requiring training with high-load. Some individuals who use BFR at low loads need to attenuate their cardiovascular response to exercise; contraction patterns may be one of the factors that can affect the cardiovascular response. Aim of Study: The current study attempted to assess the acute cardiovascular response of healthy young individuals to lower body resistance exercise with blood flow restriction training (BFR). Subject and Methods: The participants were selected from benha university students, study was conducted over a 6- month period from September 2022 to March 2023 This was a randomized controlled, pre-test, and post-test study. Subjects who met the selection criteria divided randomly into 3 groups. Group A: 40 participants performed a single trial of unilateral pattern of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (UIL-BFR) with 40% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) 30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) Group B: 40 participants performed a single trial of bilateral pattern of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BIL-BFR) 40% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) and 30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). Group C: 20 participants performed single trial of resistance exercise 30% of one-repetition maximum. Results: There was significant rise in Systolic blood pressure following exercise in the (UIL-BFR) group (p-value <0.001). In the (BIL-BFR) group, there was a significant reduction in Systolic blood pressure after exercise compared to before exercise (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: These results suggested that those who want to decrease risk of a cardiovascular incident may choose (BIL-BFR) over (UNI-BFR).