Resistance Training with Vascular Occlusion: Metabolic Adaptations in Human Muscle

Two recent studies have reported increases in strength and whole muscle cross-sectional area after low-intensity resistance training (LIT) with vascular occlusion (OCC) that are greater than LIT alone (e.g., 22, 25). The OCC stress might be expected to induce metabolic alterations that are consistent with compromised oxygen delivery rather than an increase in strength per se, but this has not been studied. PURPOSE: We examined the effect of LIT and LIT+OCC on resting metabolites in m. biceps brachii and elbow flexor strength. METHODS: Eight men (19.5 +/- 0.4 yr) performed 8 wk of LIT at approximately 50% of one-repetition maximum (2 sessions per week; 3-6 sets, 8-10 repetitions, final set to failure); one arm trained with OCC and the other without (CON). :Biopsies obtained before and 72 h after the final training bout revealed that resting [glycogen] was higher (P