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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1446963

Body Position and Cuff Size Influence Lower Limb Arterial Occlusion Pressure and its Predictors: Implications for Standardizing the Pressure Applied in Training with Blood Flow Restriction

Provisionally accepted
Victor S. de Queiros Victor S. de Queiros 1*Nicholas Rolnick Nicholas Rolnick 2,3Okan Kamiş Okan Kamiş 4Magno F. Formiga Magno F. Formiga 5Roberto F. Rocha Roberto F. Rocha 1Júlio C. Alves Júlio C. Alves 1João G. Vieira João G. Vieira 6Jeferson M. Vianna Jeferson M. Vianna 6Michal Wilk Michal Wilk 7Krzysztof Fostiak Krzysztof Fostiak 8Breno G. Cabral Breno G. Cabral 1*Paulo M. Dantas Paulo M. Dantas 1*
  • 1 Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
  • 2 Department of Exercise Science and Recreation, Lehman College, New York, United States
  • 3 The Human Performance Mechanic, New York, United States
  • 4 Department of Sports and Health, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Türkiye
  • 5 Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
  • 6 Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Brazil
  • 7 Institute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Silesian, Poland
  • 8 Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Pomeranian, Poland

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) is a relevant measurement for individualized prescription of exercise with blood flow restriction (BFRE). Therefore, it is important to consider factors that may influence this measure. Purpose: This study aimed to compare lower limb AOP (LL-AOP) measured with 11 cm (medium) and 18 cm (large) cuffs, in different body positions, and explore the predictors for each of the LL-AOP measurements performed. This information may be useful for future studies that seek to develop approaches to improve the standardization of pressure adopted in BFRE, including proposals for equations to estimate LL-AOP. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Fiftyone healthy volunteers (males, n = 25, females, n = 26; Age: 18 to 40 years old) underwent measurement of thigh circumference (TC), brachial blood pressure, followed by assessments of LL-AOP with medium and large cuffs in positions supine, sitting and standing positions. Results: The large cuff required less external pressure (mmHg) to elicit arterial occlusion in all three-body positions when compared to the medium cuff (p<0.001). The LL-AOP was significantly lower in the supine position, regardless of the cuff used (p<0.001). Systolic blood pressure was the main predictor of LL-AOP in the large cuff, while TC was the main predictor of LL-AOP with the medium cuff. Body position influenced strength of the LL-AOP predictors. Conclusion: Our results indicate that LL-AOP and its predictors are substantially influenced by body position and cuff width. Therefore, these variables should be considered when standardizing the pressure prescribed in BFRE.

    Keywords: Blood flow restriction therapy1, Limb arterial occlusion2, Cuff width3, Blood Pressure4, Thigh circumference5

    Received: 10 Jun 2024; Accepted: 18 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 de Queiros, Rolnick, Kamiş, Formiga, Rocha, Alves, Vieira, Vianna, Wilk, Fostiak, Cabral and Dantas. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Victor S. de Queiros, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
    Breno G. Cabral, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
    Paulo M. Dantas, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.