Lifestyle and health

Background] Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT), which involves performing low-load exercises under cuff-induced occlusion at the limb base, has recently standardized the cuff pressure setting to 40% of Resting Arterial Occlusion Pressure (RAOP).However, this standard may not achieve sufficient blood flow restriction.[Aims] To elucidate the dynamics of cuff pressure during exercise with the standard BFRT cuff pressure setting.[Methods] Six adult participants wore BFRT cuffs (3 cm width) on the upper arms.The cuffs were set at 40% RAOP, and participants performed arm curls at 20% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM).Cuff pressure was recorded during exercise.[Results] The average 40% RAOP was 76.6 mmHg, and the average load for 20% 1RM was 2.5 kg.The mean cuff pressure during exercise was 109 mmHg, with a maximum of 145.1 mmHg.The average resting diastolic cuff pressure with the BFRT cuff was 113.4 mmHg.In all cases, the mean exercise cuff pressure at the 40% RAOP setting was lower than the resting diastolic cuff pressure.[Conclusion] To achieve the specific exercise effects of BFRT, a cuff pressure higher than the diastolic cuff pressure is required.The standard cuff pressure setting may not result in sufficient blood flow restriction.Therefore, cuff pressure setting should consider not only RAOP but also diastolic cuff pressure.