Date of Award
1-1-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Health and Kinesiology
First Advisor
Jeremy Loenneke
Second Advisor
Mathew B. Jessee
Third Advisor
Paul D. Loprinzi
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effects of high intensity exercise and low intensity exercise with and without blood flow restriction on changes in blood pressure and discomfort.
Methods: 179 participants (18-35 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The control group (CON, n=44) only completed the two testing sessions. The training groups completed only one of the following conditions: 1) 4 sets of a two-minute contractions at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (LI, n=47); 2) 4 sets of a two-minute contractions at 30% maximal voluntary contraction with a 12cm cuff inflated to 50% of arterial occlusion pressure (LI + BFR, n =41); or 3) 4 maximal contractions lasting 5 seconds (MAX, n=47). All training groups had 1-minute rests. The training protocol lasted 6 weeks (18 sessions). A Bayesian ANCOVA was used to detect changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). A 3x3 (group by time) Bayesian repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze changes in discomfort ratings from pre to post training. Pre-values of blood pressure was used as the covariate and data were presented as means (SD).
Results: There was no evidence that handgrip exercise changed SBP (BF10: 0.066) or DBP (BF10: 0.057). Pre-post change scores for SBP were 1.1 (6.7), 0.7 (5.8), -0.4 (6.5), and -0.9 (6.3) mmHg for CON, LI, LI + BFR, and MAX, respectively. DBP change scores were 1.5 (6.6), 1.5 (7), -0.7 (5.9), and 0.3 (6.3) mmHg for CON, LI, LI + BFR, and MAX, respectively. The change in discomfort from pre to post was greater in the Standard of care (BF10=6952.769) and BFR (BF10=404.996) compared to Max group. There was no difference between Standard of care and BFR (BF10=0.241). The change in discomfort was -1.7 (1.7), -1.5 (1.9), and 0.04 (1.5) arbitrary units for LI, LI + BFR, and MAX, respectively.
Conclusions: Isometric exercise with or without BFR did not lower blood pressure. Despite the greater discomfort in the low intensity training groups, there was a similar proportion of individuals in each group, who said they would rather continue with the same exercise rather than try a different exercise.
Recommended Citation
Spitz, Robert William, "The Effects of High Intensity Isometric Contractions and Low Intensity Isometric Contractions with and without Blood Flow Restriction on Blood Pressure and Discomfort" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2583.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2583