2016 Volume 62 Issue Suppl.1 Pages 237-242
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether blood flow restriction (BFR) walking results in an acute increase in muscle size and decrease in maximal strength as well as metabolic accumulation in older adults.
Methods: Ten older men and 8 older women (mean±standard error; age, 68±1 years; height, 161.8±1.8 cm; weight, 60.7±8.5 kg) walked for 20 minutes with BFR at a pre-determined speed (3-4 km/h). Muscle thickness (MT) was measured at the following four sites: knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) at 50% of the thigh length and dorsi flexors (DF) and plantar flexors (PF) at 30% of the lower leg length. The maximal voluntary isometric strength of KE and blood lactate concentrations were measured. All parameters were measured before and immediately after the exercise session.
Results: MT increased at all sites after BFR walking (KE: pre 28.9±1.0 mm, post 32.3±0.9 mm; KF: pre 53.3±1.2 mm, post 55.2±1.4 mm; DF: pre 23.9±0.6 mm, post 24.7±0.5 mm; PF: pre 61.0±1.1 mm, post 63.8±1.0 mm). The maximal voluntary isometric strength of KE decreased after BFR walking (pre, 144±9.5 Nm; post, 136.5±8.7 Nm). Blood lactate concentration was significantly elevated after BFR walking (pre, 1.3±0.1 mol/l; post, 1.9±0.2 mol/l).
Conclusion: BFR walking causes an acute increase in muscle size and decrease in maximal strength as well as metabolic accumulation in older adults.
