Muscle-specific neuromuscular responses during running with blood
                    flow restriction

Sean M. Lubiak; Christopher E. Proppe; Paola M. Rivera; Mason A. Howard; Anuj J. Prajapati; Niriham M. Shah; Nihar N. Patel; Shane M. Hammer; Michael A. Trevino; Taylor K. Dinyer-McNeely; Roksana B. Zak; Ethan C. Hill

doi:10.1055/a-2493-0617

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2025; 46(04): 255-262
DOI: 10.1055/a-2493-0617

Physiology & Biochemistry

Muscle-specific neuromuscular responses during running with blood flow restriction

Sean M. Lubiak

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

,

Christopher E. Proppe

²Human Performance Studies, Wichita State University, Wichita, USA

,

Paola M. Rivera

³School of Sport Sciences, Endicott College School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Beverly, USA

,

Mason A. Howard

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

,

Anuj J. Prajapati

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

,

Niriham M. Shah

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

,

Nihar N. Patel

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

,

Shane M. Hammer

⁴Department of Kinesiology, Applied Health, and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA

,

Michael A. Trevino

⁴Department of Kinesiology, Applied Health, and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA

,

Taylor K. Dinyer-McNeely

⁴Department of Kinesiology, Applied Health, and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA

,

Roksana B. Zak

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

,

Ethan C. Hill

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine muscle excitation at maximal running capacity without blood flow restriction (BFR) relative to submaximal running bouts with BFR. Fourteen college-aged males randomly completed four, three-minute running bouts at 70, 80, and 90% of peak speed with BFR (70%_BFR, 80%_BFR, and 90%_BFR) and without BFR at 100% of their peak speed (100%_NOBFR). The surface electromyographic amplitudes of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis muscles were assessed. Muscle excitation of the vastus lateralis was similar across most bouts; however, it was lower during the 70%_BFR compared to 90%_BFR (Meandiff =−4.67±− 0.22%; Bayesian 95% high-density interval [HDI]: − 7.07 to − 2.2) and 100%_NOBFR (Meandiff =−2.94±− 0.27%; 95% HDI:−5.33 to−0.50) bouts. For the rectus femoris, muscle excitation largely increased across running speeds (70%_BFR<80%_BFR < 90%_BFR; 90%_BFR < 100%_NOBFR). For the vastus medialis, muscle excitation was lower during the 70%_BFR compared to 90%_BFR (Meandiff =−8.15±− 0.28%; 95% HDI:−15.3 to−0.89). Submaximal running with BFR increased muscle excitation responses for the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, such that muscle excitation was similar to 100%_BFR, despite 10–20% reductions in running speed. The rectus femoris muscle, however, was not affected by BFR during the submaximal running bouts.

Keywords

blood flow restriction - electromyography - electromyography

Full Text

References

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material