Abstract : To compare endocrine responses to low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BF
more
Abstract : To compare endocrine responses to low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) for upperlimb (UL) and lower-limb (LL) muscles we measured blood lactate plasma noradrenaline and serum growth hormone (GH) testosterone cortisol and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) before and after the UL (biceps curl and triceps press down) and LL (leg extension and leg curl) exercises with BFR in nine men (26.3 +/- 3.1 yr). The load of 30 of one-repetition maximum (1RM) was used in all the exercises in which the first set of 30 repetitions was followed by the second and third sets to failure. In each exercise program the proximal portions of their upper arms (UL) or thighs (LL) were compressed bilaterally by elastic belts. Both the UL and LL caused significant increases in lactate noradrenaline GH testosterone cortisol and IGF-I concentrations when compared to the pre-exercise values. A significant difference between the UL and LL was observed only in the area under the curve (AUC) of serum GH concentration indicating that the LL induced greater GH response than did the UL. The greater GH secretion following the LL may be more advantageous for muscle hypertrophy induced by a long-term training period.
less