High restriction pressure can compromisse adherence of practitioners to blood flow restriction training

Abstract Low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) has been shown to be an effective method for increasing strength and muscle size like high-load exercise (HL); however, perceptual and affective responses to LL-BFR with different arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) have rarely been investigated. The study aimed to investigate the effects of manipulation of restriction pressure with LL-BFR on psychophysiological responses and to compare with HL. Twenty-two resistance-trained men performed LL-BFR at 20% 1RM with 40% (20/40), 80% (20/80) and 120% (20/120) AOP and 70% 1RM in a crossover design. Participants performed 20/40, 20/80 and 20/120 protocols in four sets of 15 repetitions of unilateral elbow flexion exercise, with 1-min rest, with a pressure cuff placed around the proximal region of the dominant arm, while 70/0 was performed in four sets of 10 repetitions, with 90 s rest. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived pain (PP) were assessed at the end of each set, while perceived affect (PA) was assessed immediately after the exercise session. The RPE in 70/0 (ES: 1.6) was significantly higher than all protocols in the first set (p<.0001) and similar to 20/120 in the 2, 3, and 4 sets (ES: 5.4) (p>0.05). RPE increased dose‒response with BFR: 20/40 ES: 1.2, and 20/80 ES: 1.9 (p<.0001). Protocols 20/120 and 20/80 significantly induced greater PP and lower PA compared to the 20/40 and 70/0 protocols (p<.0001). Higher levels of restriction pressure promote a greater sensation of pain and exertion, which can impair adherence for new participants. Keywords: