Partial Vascular Occlusion Effect on Oxidative Stress Markers in Young Resistance Trained Individuals

Abstract

Low-intensity strength training with partial vascular occlusion (PVO) was reported to result in muscle hypertrophy and strength increases similar to high-intensity training without PVO. Resistance training has been reported to increase markers of oxidative stress and a recent study reported that PVO by itself may result in an elevated oxidative stress markers. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PVO on oxidative stress markers and number of repetitions done to failure across three exercise intensities in young resistance trained individuals. METHODS: Twelve resistance trained males (18-35 yrs) completed three sets to failure at 70% 1RM or 30% 1RM with or without PVO and a rest (R) condition done with and without PVO. The six conditions were completed at least 72 hours apart in a counterbalanced fashion over 3-4 weeks. Blood was obtained before and immediately after each condition. Blood samples were immediately processed and stored -80°C until analyzed. Plasma samples were determined in duplicate for protein carbonyls (PC) using an enzymatic assay. RESULTS: Significant difference in PC was noted for the 70% 1RM and R conditions with and without PVO post-exercise. No significant differences were reported with the 30% 1RM condition. A significant time main effect (p=.005) of PC was reported when comparing the PVO conditions, but no significant main effect of intensity was reported. A significant main effect of intensity (p=.023) and time (p=.000) was obtained when comparing non-PVO conditions with a significant difference in PC levels in both the 30 failure and 70 failure conditions post-exercise when compared to the R condition post-exercise. The total number of repetitions was significantly different between all conditions done at 30%1RM when compared to all conditions done at 70%1RM. The conditions 30PVO and 30F (53.5±13.8 vs. 77.25±22.4) and 70PVO and 70F (15.25±3.0 vs. 18.6±4.9) were significantly different from one another. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that PVO can reduce the numbers of repetitions performed at both exercise intensities and significantly elevated PC with the 70% 1RM condition and R conditions while reporting no difference in the low intensity conditions.