The Influences of Single Chamber Vs. Multi-chamber Blood Flow Restriction Cuffs with Bicep Curls

The Influences of Single Chamber Vs. Multi-chamber Blood Flow Restriction Biceps Curls on Acute Arterial Stiffness, Perceptual Responses and Performance

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of single (SC) and multi-chamber (MC) blood flow restriction (BFR) cuff bicep exercise on indices of arterial stiffness, muscle morphology, and participant perception.

Twenty six adults aged 18-40 years old will undergo three treatment sessions (control (no BFR), SC BFR, and MC BFR) in a randomized order separated by one week. A familiarization session will also occur one week before starting the treatment period. Each subject will undergo a series of tests including anthropometry, ultrasonography of the carotid artery, applanation tonometry, ultrasonography of the vastus lateralis, blood pressure acquisition, body composition, and maximal strength assessments (1RM). The exercise trial will consist of sets of dumbbell bicep curls performed to failure with a 2-seconds concentric and 2-seconds eccentric cadence, at 20% of their 1RM using 60% of the supine limb occlusion pressure (LOP) with 1-minute rest intervals. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after the exercise bout during each treatment session. Two-way ANOVAs will be used to examine the main effects of treatment and treatment-order interaction on pulse wave velocity, muscle cross-sectional area, and perceptual response.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Physically active (> 1,000 MET/min/wk) for at least six months.
2. Weight stable for previous 6 months (+/-2.5 kg)
3. Female subjects only- reported regular menstrual cycles for the last 2 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. BP>140/90 mmHg
2. BMI>40 kg/m2
3. Diabetes
4. Familial hypercholesterolemia
5. Past or current history of CHD, stroke or major CVD events. Respiratory diseases (not including asthma), endocrine or metabolic, neurological, or hematological disorders that would compromise the study or the health of the subject.
6. Women must not be pregnant, plan to become pregnant during the study, or be nursing
7. Active renal or liver disease
8. All medications and supplements that influence dependent variables*
9. Recent surgery < 2 months
10. Alcohol abuse
11. Sleep apnea
12. Claustrophobia