Research Impact : To further investigate the physiological impact of blood flow restriction exercise (BFR), we examined i) the effect of different occlusion pressures on several cardiovascular measures (echocardiographic images, heart rate, blood pressure), ii) the fluid-regulating hormone response to BFR walking, and iii) the relationship between the relative volume of blood trapped in the legs and the release of fluid-regulating hormones following BFR walking. We determined that BFR elicits the largest cardiovascular effect at 100% and 125% of the occlusion pressure, with evidence of appreciable fluid regulating hormonal response during a typical BFR session. The relative volume of blood sequestered in the limb (~25%) does not appear to be the driver of the hormonal response.
Thompson KMA, Gamble ASD, Coates AM, Burr JF. Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Central Hemodynamics and Fluid Regulating Hormones. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023 Sep 22. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003307. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37735813.
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