Acute Effects of a Combination of Vibration and Blood Flow Restriction on Arterial Stiffness

Abstract

PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of dynamic lower body vibration exercise with BFR on arterial elasticity and hemodynamic variables. METHODS: Nine male subjects (age= 22±2.9) performed dynamic squat exercise on a vibration platform set at 30 Hz with and without BFR. During BFR sessions, BFR cuffs were inflated to a pressure determined by multiplying the arm systolic blood pressure by 1.44. Exercises consisted of ten 1-min sets of squat exercise with one min rest between sets. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured after each set during exercise and arterial elasticity and hemodynamic variables were assessed by non-invasive methods using the radial artery tonometer before, at 10 min, 20 min, and 40 min post-exercise. RESULTS: There were condition (p<0.05) and time (p<0.01) main effects for cardiac ejection time; time main effects for stroke volume (p<0.01) and cardiac output (p=0.03); condition*time interaction (p<0.01) for small arterial elasticity following exercise. There were also significant time main effects for heart rate during and following exercise (p<0.01) and condition (p<0.02) and time (p<0.01) main effects for RPE. However, there were no condition*time interaction and main effects for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, large arterial elasticity, total vascular resistance, and vascular impedance. CONCLUSION: Combining dynamic vibration exercise with BFR changed the pattern and the level of changes in small arterial elasticity. Even though the changes in several hemodynamic variables with BFR did not reach the level of significance, subjective measure of exercise intensity was greater during BFR session. Future studies should investigate acute and chronic effects of different duration and intensity of BFR exercises with vibration.