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Low-load resistance training promotes muscular adaptation regardless of vascular occlusion, load, or volume

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Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of two different intensities and different volumes of low-load resistance training (LLRT) with and without blood flow restriction on the adaptation of muscle strength and size.

Methods

The sample was divided into five groups: one set of 20 % of one repetition maximum (1RM), three sets of 20 % of 1RM, one set of 50 % of 1RM, three sets of 50 % of 1RM, or control. LLRT was performed with (OC) or without (NOC) vascular occlusion, which was selected randomly for each subject. The maximal muscle strength (leg extension; 1RM) and the cross-sectional area (quadriceps; CSA) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of LLRT.

Results

1RM performance was increased in both groups after 8 weeks of training: OC (1 × 50 % = 20.6 %; 3 × 50 % = 20.9 %; 1 × 20 % = 26.6 %; 3 × 20 % = 21.6 %) and NOC (1 × 50 % = 18.6 %; 3 × 50 % = 26.8 %; 1 × 20 % = 18.5 %; 3 × 20 % = 21.6 %; 3 × 20 % = 24.7 %) compared with the control group (−1.7 %). Additionally, the CSA was increased in both groups: OC (1 × 50 % = 2.4 %; 3 × 50 % = 3.8 %; 1 × 20 % = 4.6 %; 3 × 20 % = 4.8 %) and NOC (1 × 50 % = 2.4 %; 3 × 50 % = 1.5 %; 1 × 20 % = 4.3 %; 3 × 20 % = 3.8 %) compared with the control group (−0.7 %). There were no significant differences between the OC and NOC groups.

Conclusion

We conclude that 8 weeks of LLRT until failure in novice young lifters, regardless of occlusion, load or volume, produces similar magnitudes of muscular hypertrophy and strength.

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Abbreviations

1RM:

One repetition maximum

95 % CI:

95 % confidence intervals

CSA:

Cross-sectional area

ES:

Effect size

LLRT:

Low-load resistance training

OC:

LLRT with blood flow restriction

NOC:

LLRT without blood flow restriction performed until volitional fatigue

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

NOC:

Non-occlusion

OC:

Occlusion

RT:

Resistance training

SCSA:

Six cross-sectional area images summed

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Acknowledgments

This investigation was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado de Minas Gerais—FAPEMIG and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Biology Laboratory (BioEx), Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Av. Tutunas, 490, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, 38061-500, Brazil

    Larissa Corrêa Barcelos, Paulo Ricardo Prado Nunes, Anselmo Alves de Oliveira, Roberto Furlanetto & Fábio Lera Orsatti

  2. Department of Sport Sciences, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Moacir Marocolo & Fábio Lera Orsatti

  3. Diagnostic Imaging, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Luís Ronan Marquez Ferreira de Souza

Authors
  1. Larissa Corrêa Barcelos
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  2. Paulo Ricardo Prado Nunes
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  3. Luís Ronan Marquez Ferreira de Souza
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  4. Anselmo Alves de Oliveira
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  5. Roberto Furlanetto
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  6. Moacir Marocolo
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  7. Fábio Lera Orsatti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fábio Lera Orsatti.

Additional information

Communicated by William J. Kraemer.

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Barcelos, L.C., Nunes, P.R.P., de Souza, L.R.M.F. et al. Low-load resistance training promotes muscular adaptation regardless of vascular occlusion, load, or volume. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 1559–1568 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3141-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3141-9

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