Abstract
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is a rehabilitation technique used in physical therapy to improve muscle growth in patients. The technique involves using blood cuffs on the limbs to occlude blood flow within the muscles, thus limiting the buildup of muscle growth inhibitors. The current literature provides information regarding these aspects but is limited in providing information regarding the impact of BFR on neural muscular coordination. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how various pressure levels of the BFR cuffs can impact the muscle activation of the restrained muscles and heart rate. Our results have shown that a positive relationship between heart rate and increasing pressure level exist. Furthermore, on comparing maximal muscle activation within the squat movement and symmetry of activation between the legs with incrementing pressure change, we found no relationship between the max muscle activation and the increments in the pressure values. Moreover, the muscle activation symmetry between legs was uncorrelated with the pressure gradient.
The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction on Heart Rate and Muscle Activation
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is a rehabilitation technique used in physical therapy to improve muscle growth in patients. The technique involves using blood cuffs on the limbs to occlude blood flow within the muscles, thus limiting the buildup of muscle growth inhibitors. The current literature provides information regarding these aspects but is limited in providing information regarding the impact of BFR on neural muscular coordination. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how various pressure levels of the BFR cuffs can impact the muscle activation of the restrained muscles and heart rate. Our results have shown that a positive relationship between heart rate and increasing pressure level exist. Furthermore, on comparing maximal muscle activation within the squat movement and symmetry of activation between the legs with incrementing pressure change, we found no relationship between the max muscle activation and the increments in the pressure values. Moreover, the muscle activation symmetry between legs was uncorrelated with the pressure gradient.