Department of Ball Sport, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2024 Jul 19;21(1):123. doi: 10.1186/s12984-024-01419-5.
Blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance training has demonstrated efficacy in promoting strength gains beneficial for rehabilitation. Yet, the distinct functional advantages of BFR strength training using high-load and low-load protocols remain unclear. This study explored the behavioral and neurophysiological mechanisms that explain the differing effects after volume-matched high-load and low-load BFR training.
Twenty-eight healthy participants were randomly assigned to the high-load blood flow restriction (BFR-HL, n = 14) and low-load blood flow restriction (BFR-LL, n = 14) groups. They underwent 3 weeks of BFR training for isometric wrist extension at intensities of 25% or 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with matched training volume. Pre- and post-tests included MVC and trapezoidal force-tracking tests (0-75%-0% MVC) with multi-channel surface electromyography (EMG) from the extensor digitorum.
The BFR-HL group exhibited a greater strength gain than that of the BFR-LL group after training (BFR_HL: 26.96 ± 16.33% vs. BFR_LL: 11.16 ± 15.34%)(p = 0.020). However, only the BFR-LL group showed improvement in force steadiness for tracking performance in the post-test (p = 0.004), indicated by a smaller normalized change in force fluctuations compared to the BFR-HL group (p = 0.048). After training, the BFR-HL group activated motor units (MUs) with higher recruitment thresholds (p < 0.001) and longer inter-spike intervals (p = 0.002), contrary to the BFR-LL group, who activated MUs with lower recruitment thresholds (p < 0.001) and shorter inter-spike intervals (p < 0.001) during force-tracking. The discharge variability (p < 0.003) and common drive index (p < 0.002) of MUs were consistently reduced with training for the two groups.
BFR-HL training led to greater strength gains, while BFR-LL training better improved force precision control due to activation of MUs with lower recruitment thresholds and higher discharge rates.
血流限制(BFR)抗阻训练已被证明能有效促进有益于康复的力量增长。然而,高负荷和低负荷 BFR 强度训练的独特功能优势仍不清楚。本研究探讨了解释高负荷和低负荷 BFR 训练后效果不同的行为和神经生理机制。
将 28 名健康参与者随机分配到高负荷血流限制(BFR-HL,n=14)和低负荷血流限制(BFR-LL,n=14)组。他们在 3 周的时间内进行等长腕伸肌的 BFR 训练,强度分别为最大自主收缩(MVC)的 25%或 75%,并进行匹配的训练量。预测试和后测试包括 MVC 和梯形力跟踪测试(0-75%-0% MVC),同时对伸指肌进行多通道表面肌电图(EMG)。
训练后,BFR-HL 组的力量增长大于 BFR-LL 组(BFR_HL:26.96±16.33% vs. BFR_LL:11.16±15.34%)(p=0.020)。然而,只有 BFR-LL 组在跟踪测试中显示出力量稳定性的改善(p=0.004),这表现为与 BFR-HL 组相比,力波动的归一化变化较小(p=0.048)。训练后,BFR-HL 组激活了具有较高募集阈值的运动单位(MUs)(p<0.001)和较长的肌电脉冲间隔(p=0.002),而 BFR-LL 组则激活了具有较低募集阈值(p<0.001)和较短肌电脉冲间隔(p<0.001)的 MUs。两组的 MU 放电变异性(p<0.003)和共同驱动指数(p<0.002)在训练后均持续降低。
BFR-HL 训练导致更大的力量增长,而 BFR-LL 训练由于激活了募集阈值较低和放电率较高的 MU,更好地改善了力精度控制。