Effect of 8 Weeks of Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Strength, Clinical Parameters, Biochemical Biomarkers, and Perceived Exertion in Adults With Obesity

Effect of 8 Weeks of Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Strength, Clinical Parameters, Biochemical Biomarkers, and Perceived Exertion in Adults With Obesity

To analyze the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with blood flow restriction on muscle strength, clinical parameters, biochemical biomarkers, and perceived exertion in adults with obesity.

Resistance training has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for improving muscular strength and metabolic profile. According to the available evidence, a moderate-to-high intensity level (60-90% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]) is required to achieve optimal outcomes in healthy adults.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training, in turn, has emerged as an innovative strategy that promotes gains comparable or similar to those achieved with moderate-to-high intensity resistance training. It has been proposed as an efficient and safe training alternative in both clinical and non-clinical settings . Current findings identify BFR as a promising, versatile, accessible, and particularly useful tool when moderate-to-high intensity resistance training must be limited or contraindicated.

Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training combined with blood flow restriction on muscular strength, clinical parameters, biochemical biomarkers, and perceived exertion in adults with obesity, providing evidence regarding a potentially safe and effective intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 to 40
• Both genders
• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m^2 and < 40 kg/m^2
• Signed informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who smoke
• Personal and family history of vascular disease or deep vein thrombosis
• Clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism
• Clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Clinical diagnosis of grade 3 obesity
• Clinical diagnosis of hypertension
• Clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or angina pectoris
• Use of nitrates and calcium channel blockers within 4 days prior to the start of the study
• Use of anticoagulants
• Use of beta-blockers or hypoglycemic agents within 7 days prior to the intervention
• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Men consuming more than 40 g of alcohol per day or women consuming more than 20 g per day
• Postural and biomechanical disorders (knee, foot, and spine)