AUTHOR=Amani-Shalamzari Sadegh , Farhani Farid , Rajabi Hamid , Abbasi Ali , Sarikhani Ali , Paton Carl , Bayati Mahdi , Berdejo-del-Fresno Daniel , Rosemann Thomas , Nikolaidis Pantelis Theodoros , Knechtle Beat 

TITLE=Blood Flow Restriction During Futsal Training Increases Muscle Activation and Strength

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00614

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2019.00614

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leg blood flow restriction (BFR) applied during a 3-a-side futsal game on strength-related parameters. Twelve male futsal players were randomly assigned into two groups (<italic>n</italic> = 6 for each group) during 10 training sessions either with or without leg BFR. Prior to and post-training sessions, participants completed a series of tests to assess anabolic hormones and leg strength. Pneumatic cuffs were initially inflated to 110% of leg systolic blood pressure and further increased by 10% after every two completed sessions. In comparison with baseline, the resting post-training levels of myostatin (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002) and IGF-1/MSTN ratio (<italic>p</italic> = 0.006) in the BFR group changed, whereas no change in the acute level of IGF-1 and myostatin after exercise was observed. Peak torque of knee extension and flexion increased in both groups (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). A trend of increased neural activation of all heads of the quadriceps was observed in both groups, however, it was statistically significant only for rectus femoris in BFR (<italic>p</italic> = 0.02). These findings indicated that the addition of BFR to normal futsal training might induce greater neuromuscular benefits by increasing muscle activation and augmenting the hormonal response.</p>