Neuromuscular response to varying pressures created by tightness of restriction cuff

Abstract

Variation in regional body composition between genders may change the degree of pressure created by the tightness of cuff used during blood flow restriction training resulting in changes in the level of neuromuscular activation. This study investigates the effects of tightness of cuff and skin and subcutaneous fat thickness on electromyography (EMG) amplitude (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) during exercises and strength testing. Subjects performed knee-extension exercises with varying tightness of cuff while using EMG to measure changes in neuromuscular response. EMG RMS was significantly affected by tightness of cuff and skin and subcutaneous fat thickness. The strongest individual variable for the changes in MDF was also skin and subcutaneous-fat thickness. The changes in EMG response due to tightness of cuff and the effect of skin and subcutaneous fat thickness on tightness of cuff prove the importance of details on BFR protocol and leg composition on neuromuscular function during BFR exercises.

Keywords: Blood flow restriction; EMG MDF; EMG RMS; Skin thickness; Tightness of restrictive cuff.