Blood Flow Restriction During High-intensity Interval Exercise

The Effects of Blood Flow Restriction During High-intensity Interval Exercise Among Healthy Adult Males: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The study is a randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) in different phases (i.e., exercise versus interval) during high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, isokinetic knee strength, lower limb biomechanics during single-leg landing and cycling economy among healthy adult males. Participants were randomized to three groups. Intervention was conducted for 12 weeks with 2 sessions per week. During intervention, all groups conducted HIEE on cycle ergometer with or without BFR. Assessments were conducted before the intervention, on the 6th week of intervention and after the intervention. Assessments included physical characteristics, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, lower limb biomechanics during single-leg landing and isokinetic knee strength.

The study is a randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) in different phases (i.e., exercise versus interval) during high-intensity interval exercise on aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, isokinetic knee strength, lower limb biomechanics during single-leg landing and cycling economy among healthy adult males. The procedure of the study has been approved by Ethics Committee of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM/JEPeM/20060331) and complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. participants were randomised into one of the following conditions: 1. High-intensity interval exercise without BFR (C Group). 2. High-intensity interval exercise with BFR during exercise phase (E Group). 3 High-intensity interval exercise with BFR during interval phase (I Group). After obtaining the participants' written informed consent form, participants proceeded to pre-intervention tests. Each exercise test needs to be separated by at least 24 hours (First day: VO2max; Second day: Cycling economy; Third day: Isokinetic knee strength and Wingate tests). In the sixth week and after the twelfth week of the exercise intervention, the participants took part in the mid-test and post-test, which was similar protocol in the pre-test. The duration of the intervention is 12 weeks, with two sessions per week. Each exercise session took about an hour and monitored by an exercise physiologist. Exercise intervention comprised of cycle exercises using a cycle ergometer device. First, participants performed a 5-minute warm-up activity (50W). After the warm-up, each group sprinted with 85% VO2max for 3 minutes, where the rotation speed should be maintained at around 60 revolutions per minute (RPM) and then rests for 3 minutes on the ergometer without cycling. Then, they sprinted again after the first break and this sequence of sprint and rest were repeated three times. The 85% of VO2max was determined based on the results from the VO2max test. Exercise (E) Group and Interval (I) Group completed the training with an air cuff placed at the inguinal fold of both legs in sequence in order to provide partial blood flow restriction. The sequence of wrapping was done in random order, but both thighs were wrapped twice in a single intervention session. E Group applied 40% LOP BFR during exercise; I Group I applied 40% LOP BFR during passive rest i.e., interval. On the other hand, C group does not perform BFR during the whole process. Two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (pre-, mid-and post-intervention time points x three groups) was used to examine the main effects and interaction effects of changes for each tested variables following intervention. If the main effects or interaction effects are significant, the Newman-Keuls post hoc test was applied for multiple comparisons.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy male adults.
2. Age between 20-25.
3. Have normal body mass index (BMI).
4. Physically active (i.e., exercise regularly for at least three times per week) and total score more than 600MET-min/week based on The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
5. VO2max value above 42 ml/kg/min during cycling test (Above fair VO2max level)(American College of Sports Medicine, 2010).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. BMI is greater than 25kg/m2.
2. Have exercise-related disorders such as coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular diseases, rhabdomyolysis, respiratory inflammation, or have neurological disorders.
3. Have implanted electrical devices.
4. Have significant cognitive impairment.