This study evaluated the immediate neuromuscular response to low-load knee extension exercise performed with and without blood flow restriction in healthy young adults.

Blood flow restriction is a training method in which a pressure cuff is applied to the upper part of a limb to partially reduce blood flow during exercise. In this study, each participant completed the same knee extension exercise protocol under two conditions: with blood flow restriction and without blood flow restriction. The blood flow restriction pressure was individualized according to each participant's arterial occlusion pressure.

Surface electromyography was used to record the activity of the vastus lateralis muscle during the exercise protocol. Muscle activation was mainly assessed using the root mean square amplitude normalized to a maximal voluntary isometric contraction measured before exercise. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction was also recorded before and after the protocol to explore immediate changes in maximal muscle activation.

The study was conducted in healthy adults and aimed to compare the electromyographic response between the blood flow restriction and non-restriction conditions during a standardized low-load exercise task.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 65 years.
• Healthy adults.
• Absence of active pain or musculoskeletal injury in the lower limbs at the time of assessment.
• Ability to understand the study procedures.
• Voluntary agreement to participate and provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neuromuscular disease.
• History of cardiovascular disease.
• History of peripheral vascular disease.
• History of thromboembolic events.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Skin lesions or skin conditions preventing placement of the blood flow restriction cuff or surface electromyography electrodes.
• Recent lower limb surgery.
• Pregnancy.
• Any other contraindication to blood flow restriction exercise.