Acute effects of strength exercise with blood flow restriction on vascular function of young healthy males

Abstract Background Strength training with blood flow restriction (STBFR) provokes similar neuromuscular adaptations to traditional strength training using low training loads. However, there is a need for better understanding of the repercussions for antioxidant parameters and vascular function. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of a session of low intensity strength training with blood flow restriction, compared with high intensity and low intensity strength training without blood flow restriction, on the levels of nitric oxide products and antioxidant enzyme activity in healthy young men. Methods: Eleven young men performed three strength exercise sessions: low intensity with blood flow restriction (LIBFR), high intensity (HI), and low intensity (LI). Activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was assessed and metabolites of nitric oxide (NOx) were assayed before and after each session. Results: There were no changes to NOx plasma levels under the different exercise conditions (p > 0.05). However, SOD activity exhibited a significant reduction after the LIBFR condition (p < 0.05), while CAT activity reduced significantly after the LI condition (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that one session of low intensity strength training with blood flow restriction does not reduce bioavailability of nitric oxide or induce redox imbalance in healthy young men.

摘要：背景：采用血流限制力量训练（strength training with blood flow restriction, STBFR）可诱导出与传统低负荷力量训练相似的神经肌肉适应性改变，但目前学界对其对抗氧化参数与血管功能的潜在影响仍有待更深入的阐释。
研究目的：本研究旨在对比单次血流限制低强度力量训练、无血流限制的高强度力量训练与无血流限制的低强度力量训练，探究三者对健康年轻男性体内一氧化氮产物水平及抗氧化酶活性的影响。
研究方法：11名健康年轻男性参与了3次力量训练课程，分别为血流限制低强度训练（low intensity with blood flow restriction, LIBFR）、高强度训练（high intensity, HI）及低强度训练（low intensity, LI）。在每次训练前后，分别检测抗氧化酶过氧化氢酶（catalase, CAT）与超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase, SOD）的活性，并测定一氧化氮代谢产物（nitric oxide metabolites, NOx）的含量。
研究结果：不同训练条件下，受试者血浆NOx水平均未出现显著变化（p > 0.05）。然而，LIBFR组训练后SOD活性显著降低（p < 0.05），LI组训练后CAT活性则显著降低（p < 0.05）。
研究结论：本研究结果显示，单次血流限制低强度力量训练不会降低健康年轻男性体内一氧化氮的生物利用度，亦不会诱导氧化还原失衡状态。