Blood flow restrictions effect on exercise - induced muscle damage recovery

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of blood flow restriction (BFR) at improving the rate of recovery post exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD). Methods: The effects of BFR (30% 1RM, 3d/week) and a work matched protocol without occlusion was analysed on measures of power, hypertrophy and rate of perceived soreness. Using a cross over experimental design, 6 trained participants were randomly assigned into a group, after 3 weeks of the BFRT/work-matched protocol they were exposed to an EIMD session. Following EIMD countermovement jump (CMJ) and rate of perceived soreness (RPS) were tested 1, 2, 3 and 5 days post. Muscle cross sectional area (mCSA) of the thigh muscle was also measure pre and post each intervention. Participants then followed the alternate intervention. Results: There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in power decrement following BFR compared to the control on day 1 (93.3 vs. 90.9%), 2 (90.6 vs. 88.3%) and 3 (93.4 vs 89.8%), however there was no significant difference on day 5. Moreover, the RPS was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) following the BFR intervention compared to the control group at day 1 (3.0 vs. 4.8) and 2 (5.2 vs. 6.7), however there was no significant difference at day 3 and 5 post EIMD. The results of the present study firstly demonstrated that mCSA of the thigh significantly increased (3.5%) pre to post with the BFR intervention, there was no significant difference with the work-matched intervention. Conclusion: The results suggest that BFRT can improve myogenic capacity and muscular hypertrophy in a quick time course adaptation. Key words: Blood flow restriction, KAATSU, vascular occlusion, recreational, hypertrophy, myogenic, satellite cells, heat shock proteins, recovery