Acute Effect of Repeated Sprint Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction During Rest Periods on Muscle Oxygenation

Chihiro Kojima; Keiichi Yamaguchi; Hiroto Ito; Nobukazu Kasai; Olivier Girard; Kazushige Goto

doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.665383

Acute Effect of Repeated Sprint Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction During Rest Periods on Muscle Oxygenation

Front Physiol. 2021 Jul 29:12:665383. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.665383. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Chihiro Kojima¹, Keiichi Yamaguchi², Hiroto Ito², Nobukazu Kasai¹, Olivier Girard³, Kazushige Goto²

Affiliations

¹ Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
² Graduate School of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
³ School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Crawly, WA, Australia.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of applying BFR during rest periods of repeated cycling sprints on muscle oxygenation.

Methods: Seven active males performed 5 × 10-s maximal pedaling efforts with 40-s passive rest, with or without BFR application during rest period. BFR was applied for 30 s between sprints (between 5 and 35 s into rest) through a pneumatic pressure cuff inflated at 140 mmHg. Vastus lateralis muscle oxygenation was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. In addition, blood lactate concentration and heart rate were also evaluated.

Results: The BFR trial showed significantly lower oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) and tissue saturation (StO₂) levels than the CON trial (P < 0.05). However, power output and blood lactate concentration did not significantly differ between the two trials (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Applying BFR during rest periods of repeated cycling sprints decreased muscle oxygenation of active musculature, without interfering with power output during sprints.

Keywords: local hypoxia; occlusion; perfusion; recovery; repeated sprint ability.