Effect of Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Sitruin-1, Visfatin, and Nitric Oxide Levels in Elite Male Athletes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Background and Aims Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has been suggested as an effective method to improve muscle hypertrophy and for rehabilitation. The present study aims to investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) with BFR on serum levels of sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), visfatin, and nitric oxide (NO) in elite male athletes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Twenty elite male athletes voluntarily participated in the study and were randomly divided into two groups of RT-BFR (n=10) and RT (n=10). Subjects in both groups participated in 12 weeks of RT at an intensity of 30-70% of 10-repetition maximum (2-4 sets). The subjects in the RT-BFR group performed resistance training by placing a blood pressure cuff in the upper thigh with a pressure of 120-180 mm Hg. Blood samples were collected before and 48 hours after the last training session to measure serum levels of blood markers. Data analysis was done by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired t-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Twelve weeks of RT-BFR significantly increased serum levels of SIRT-1 (P<0.001(, visfatin (P=0.02), and NO (P=0.01) in the post-test phase, compared to the pre-test phase. Furthermore, the between-group analysis results showed that RT-BFR significantly increased serum levels of SIRT-1 (P<0.001) and NO (P=0.002) compared to the RT group. Conclusion The RT combined with BFR can increase the serum concentrations of SIRT-1 and NO in elite athletes after ACL reconstruction, compared to the RT alone