Effects of low intensity resistance training of blood flow restriction with different occlusion pressure on lower limb muscle and cardiopulmonary function of college students

Objective: The study compared the effects of low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) with different occlusion pressure on lower limb muscle and cardiopulmonary function. Methods: Twenty-seven college students were randomly divided into three groups by different occlusion pressure: 0 mmHg (group C), 120 mmHg (group L) and 180 mmHg (group H). Before and after training (3 times a week for 12 weeks) with an inflatable cuff (20% 1RM, half squat), the muscle thickness(MTH)of rectus femoris and medius femoris, relative peak knee extensor moment(rM), peak power(P), relative maximal oxygen uptake(rVO2max), stroke volume(SV), cardiac output(CO), ejection fraction(EF) and other indicators were measured for all subjects. Results: When compared with pre-training, and rectus femoris, the MTH of medius femoris, rM, rVO2max, SV, CO and EF were significantly increased in group L and group H after 12 weeks training(P＜0.05, P＜0.01), as well as compared with group C after training(P＜0.05, P＜0.01). There was no significant difference between group L and group H after training. Conclusion: BFR training protocols under 120 mmHg or 180 mmHg pressure were effective in improving muscle and cardiopulmonary function.