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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1409702

Comparing the acute responses between a manual and automated blood flow restriction system

Provisionally accepted
Daphney M. Carter Daphney M. Carter 1*Matthew A. Chatlaong Matthew A. Chatlaong 2William M. Miller William M. Miller 3J B. Benton J B. Benton 4Matthew B. Jessee Matthew B. Jessee 2
  • 1 Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, United States
  • 2 University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, United States
  • 3 University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana, United States
  • 4 University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The purpose of this study was to compare the acute responses between manual and automated blood flow restriction (BFR) systems. Methods: 33 individuals completed this study. On visit 1, arterial occlusion pressure (AOP, mm Hg), cardiovascular responses, and discomfort (RPE-D) were measured with each BFR system at rest. On visit 2, unilateral bicep curls were completed [30% one-repetition maximum; 50% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP)] with one system per arm. Muscle thickness (MT, cm) and maximal force (N) were assessed before (Pre), immediately (Post-0), 5min (Post-5), and 10min (Post-10) post-exercise. Exertion (RPE-E) and RPE-D were assessed throughout exercise. AOP and repetitions were compared with Bayesian paired t-tests. Other outcomes were compared with Bayesian RMANOVAs. BF10=likelihood of the best model vs the null. Results presented as mean±SD. Results: Supine cardiovascular responses and RPE-D were similar for manual and automated (all BF10≤0.2). Supine AOP for manual (157±20) was higher than automated (142±17; BF10=44496.0), but similar while standing (manual: 141±17; automated: 141±22; BF10=0.2). MT (time, BF10=6.047e+40) increased Pre (3.9±0.7) to Post-0 (4.4±0.8; BF10=2.969e+28) with Post-0 higher than Post-5 (4.3±0.8) and Post-10 (4.3±0.8; both BF10≥275.2). Force (time, BF10=1.246e +29) decreased Pre (234.5±79.2) to Post-0 (149.8±52.3; BF10=2.720e+22), increased Post-0 to Post-5 (193.3±72.7; BF10=1.744e+13), and Post-5 to Post-10 (194.0±70.6; BF10=0.2) were similar. RPE-E increased over sets. RPE-D was lower for manual than automated. Repetitions per set were higher for manual (Set 1: 37±18; Set 4: 9±5) than automated (Set 1: 30±7; Set 4: 7±3; all BF10≥9.7). Conclusion: Under the same relative pressure, responses are mostly similar between BFR systems, although manual led to lower exercise discomfort and more repetitions.

    Keywords: Muscle thickness, ultrasound, hemodynamic, Resistance, Perception, strength, vascular, kaatsu

    Received: 30 Mar 2024; Accepted: 13 May 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Carter, Chatlaong, Miller, Benton and Jessee. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Daphney M. Carter, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, United States

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