Acute cardiovascular responses to unilateral bicep curls with blood flow restriction

Background/Objectives

A consensus on the acute cardiovascular responses to low intensity (LI) resistance exercise (RE) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) has not yet been reached. This study was designed to compare acute cardiovascular responses to a single bout of LIRE, high intensity (HI) RE, and LIRE with BFR in physically active young males.

Methods

Participants completed 3 RE sessions in random order, where each session consists of 4 sets of unilateral dumbbell bicep curls. Cardiovascular hemodynamics were measured at baseline and right after each set of RE.

Results

Aortic augmentation index (AIx) was significantly higher after set 2,3,4 of RE in LI + BFR session compared to LI session (P < 0.05). Brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), brachial rate pressure product (RPP), and central RPP responses did not differ between LI and LI + BFR sessions (P > 0.05). HI session had a higher central SBP, brachial RPP, central RPP, and aortic AIx compared to LI session after each set of RE (P < 0.05), but not brachial SBP (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Taken together, this study showed that LIRE combined with BFR acutely augmented aortic stiffness, as also observed in HI session, but myocardial oxygen consumption was only higher in HI session when compared to LI session. Thus, although BFR did not exaggerate cardiovascular responses nor cause extra myocardial oxygen consumption, it should be prescribed with caution when control of acute aortic stiffening is necessary during RE.