Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leg blood flow restriction (BFR) applied during a 3-a-side futsal game on strength-related parameters. Twelve male futsal players were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 6 for each group) during 10 training sessions either with or without leg BFR. Prior to and post-training sessions, participants completed a series of tests to assess anabolic hormones and leg strength. Pneumatic cuffs were initially inflated to 110% of leg systolic blood pressure and further increased by 10% after every two completed sessions. In comparison with baseline, the resting post-training levels of myostatin (p = 0.002) and IGF-1/MSTN ratio (p = 0.006) in the BFR group changed, whereas no change in the acute level of IGF-1 and myostatin after exercise was observed. Peak torque of knee extension and flexion increased in both groups (p < 0.05). A trend of increased neural activation of all heads of the quadriceps was observed in both groups, however, it was statistically significant only for rectus femoris in BFR (p = 0.02). These findings indicated that the addition of BFR to normal futsal training might induce greater neuromuscular benefits by increasing muscle activation and augmenting the hormonal response.
Highlights
Futsal is an intermittent high-intensity game with many resting intervals, e.g., 75% of the playing actions last 1–18 s, whereas more than 83% the resting intervals are 1–15 s (Barbero-Álvarez et al., 2004)
The results show that applying blood flow restriction (BFR) increases the internal load of the training (HR and RPE) and it results in the small additional enhancements in several aspects of muscle activation in comparison with the same exercise without BFR
The time for the Futsal special performance test (FSPT) improved in both groups but there was no significant difference between groups
Summary
Futsal is an intermittent high-intensity game with many resting intervals, e.g., 75% of the playing actions last 1–18 s, whereas more than 83% the resting intervals are 1–15 s (Barbero-Álvarez et al., 2004). Players may cover 3–5 km during a game with more than 50% of the distance covered at a high intensity (>90% of maximal heart rate, HRmax). Previous studies have reported that players achieve blood lactate concentration 5.3 mmol L−1 and spend 46% of playing time at Abbreviations: BFR, blood flow restriction; EMG, electromyography; ES, effect size; FSPT, Futsal Special Performance Test; GH, growth hormone; HRmax, maximum heart rate; iEMG, integrated electromyography; IGF-1, insulin growth factor-1; MSTN, myostatin; RPE, rate perceived exertion; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SSG, small sided games; VO2 max, maximum oxygen consumption.
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