Effects of Short Term Low Intensity Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Bone Markers and Muscle Cross-Sectional Area in Young Men

Int J Exerc Sci 5(2) : 136-147, 2012. This study compared the effects of short term resistance training with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) on bone turnover markers and muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) in young men (18-35 yrs). Subjects were randomly assigned to a BFR (20% 1RM) resistance training group (BFRT, n=10), a high intensity (80% 1RM) resistance training group (RT, n=10), or a BFR only group (BFR, n=10). Both BFRT and RT trained 3 days per week (2 sets, 10 repetitions) for 3 weeks for leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion isotonic exercises. BFR underwent the BFR procedure without the exercise protocol for 10 minutes 3 days per week. Body composition (DXA) and thigh MCSA (pQCT) were measured. Fasting bone formation (Bone ALP) and resorption (CTX) markers were assessed in the morning pre and post training. All groups significantly (p < 0.05) improved MCSA, but RT (3.48 ± 0.68 %) had a greater increase compared to BFR (1.15 ± 0.54 %). RT also showed a significant increase (p < 0.01) in Bone ALP after training (50.91 ± 12.77 %). In conclusion, low intensity resistance training with BFR was less effective than high intensity resistance training for eliciting bone formation and muscle hypertrophy responses.