The Impact of Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction: Sex and Age Differences
Condition: Physical Activity
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The primary objective is to investigate whether six weeks of resistance training, in
      combination with blood flow restriction, produces a different adaptation in fat-free mass
      between males and females that are not physically active. The secondary objective is to
      compare changes in physical function, physical performance, and blood biomarkers between
      males and females following resistance training and blood flow restriction.
    

Detailed description: 
      Previous studies indicated a reduced workload (i.e., lifting lighter weight) combined with
      blood flow restriction leads to increased fat-free mass and muscle strength. However, females
      have been underrepresented in the blood flow restriction literature. Therefore, no study has
      investigated whether males and females of different age groups have different adaptations in
      fat-free mass, muscle strength, and performance outcomes following resistance training using
      blood flow restriction.

      The primary objective will be to investigate sex differences in fat-free mass following six
      weeks of resistance training combined with blood flow restriction in young and older adults.

      The secondary objective is to investigate sex differences in muscle strength, physical
      performance, and blood biomarkers between males and females following resistance training and
      blood flow restriction.

      Briefly, participants between 19-30 years and 65 years and older will be recruited to
      participate in this study. Participants will present to the laboratory for two baseline
      testing visits interspersed with a minimum of four days. The first testing visit will include
      a variety of questionnaires, a blood draw, lipid and glucose, a dual-energy x-ray
      absorptiometry scan, anthropometrics, and a submaximal VO2. The second visit will include
      several physical function tests, such as the short physical performance battery and the
      Y-balance test, as well as a high-intensity isokinetic fatigue test using isokinetic
      dynamometry and 1-repetition maximum testing.

      Upon completion of baseline testing, participants are enrolled in the exercise program. The
      first exercise session includes a blood draw before and immediately after the training
      session. This procedure will be duplicated at the final exercise session at the end of the
      six weeks.

      Participants' full occlusion will be estimated using the formula developed by Loenneke et al.
      (2015). Then each participant's occlusion will be set at 60% of each individual's total limb
      occlusion. This will be used in combination with the following exercises incline chest press,
      seated row, leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion performed at 30% of 1RM. The protocol
      is as follows: 30 repetitions followed by three sets of 15 repetitions for a total of four
      sets and 75 repetitions per exercise. There will be a one-minute recovery between sets where
      the cuffs remain inflated and a four-minute recovery between exercises where the cuffs will
      be deflated.

      Following the completion of the six weeks of exercise, participants will again present to the
      laboratory for two follow-up visits similar to the first two baseline visits.
    

Intervention name(s): Resistance Training with Blood flow restriction
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants will perform six weeks of blood flow restriction (60% occlusion) combined with resistance training at 30% of 1RM. The intervention comprises five exercises: incline chest press, seated row, leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion. The protocol is as follows: 30 repetitions followed by three sets of 15 repetitions for a total of four sets and 75 repetitions per exercise. There will be a one-minute recovery between sets where the cuffs remain inflated and a four-minute recovery between exercises where the cuffs will be deflated.
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Blood flow restriction; Sex comparisons; Resistance training; Sex Differences; Aging; Young healthy; Strength Training