The effect of Blood Flow Restriction Method combined with low-intensity cycling exercises on VO2max muscle strength and muscle thickness

In recent years, blood flow restriction method (BFR) has been used as an alternative to traditional exercise methods. While the effects of this method on strength development are known, there are conflicting results in the literature regarding its effects on aerobic capacity. With this in mind, the aim of the study is to examine the effect of low-intensity cycling exercise combined with BFR method on VO2max, muscle strength and muscle thickness. Twenty-four sedentary male individuals between the ages of 18-25 participated in the study voluntarily. Participants were divided into 3 groups of 8 people each: cycling exercise group (CEG), cycling exercise+blood flow restriction group (CBFRG) and control group (CG). CEG was given 40 minutes at 40% of VO2max, CBFRG was given 15 minutes at 40% of VO2max with the BFR method between 60-80% of the limb occlusion pressure, and CG was given 40% of VO2max. A 15-minute cycling exercise program was implemented tree days a week for nine weeks. Participants' knee isokinetic strength parameters, muscle thickness and VO2max values were measured twice, at the beginning of the study and after the 10th week. In the analysis of the data, Repeated Measures two-way ANOVA test was used to examine the results of different protocols, pre-post test measurements and protocol*time interaction effect. As a result of the analysis of the data, a significant difference was detected in favor of the posttest in all muscle thickness and VO2max parameters of CEG and CBFRG. A significant difference was determined in favor of the post-test in all isokinetic strength parameters in CBFRG. In the comparison between groups, a significant difference in favor of CBFRG was determined in respiratory exchange rate (RER) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness of both legs, while the development in other parameters was similar. While there was no difference between groups in all isokinetic force parameters at 60°s-1 and 300°s-1 angular speeds, peak torque (PT), left leg quadriceps (Q) and average power (AP) right leg Q parameters were determined at 180°s-1 angular speed. The application of low-intensity cycling exercise with BFR is considered to be a strong alternative method, not only for improving the VO2max, a determinant of aerobic capacity but also for positively influencing crucial parameters of athletic performance, such as muscle strength and thickness. Keywords: Blood flow restriction, aerobic capacity, VO2max, muscle strength, muscle thickness