Comparison Of Blood Flow Restriction Approaches Relative To Arterial Occlusion Pressure As A Reference Measure: Implications For Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Prescription

It is recommended that the pressure used in blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise be personalized, based on 40% to 80% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP). However, many studies still use arbitrary pressures (such as 100 mmHg) or personalized pressures based on resting brachial systolic blood pressure (rbSBP), such as 130% of rbSBP. PURPOSE: To estimate the percentage of AOP when adopting arbitrary pressures or 130% of rbSBP. METHOD: A total of 31 healthy participants (aged 18-40 years) underwent anthropometric assessments, brachial blood pressure measurement, and lower-limb AOP evaluation in supine, seated, and standing positions, using an 11-cm wide nylon cuff. The order of AOP assessments was randomized. AOP was compared with three reference values: 100, 200, and 300 mmHg, as well as with values equivalent to 130% of rbSBP. Results: The mean AOP was significantly higher than 100 mmHg in all positions (p < 0.01). The value of 100 mmHg represented 67%, 53%, and 50% of AOP in the supine, seated, and standing positions, respectively. The mean AOP was significantly lower than 200 mmHg in the supine (p < 0.01) and seated (p = 0.034) positions, with 200 mmHg representing 135% and 107% of AOP in the supine and seated positions, respectively. When compared to rbSBP, the AOP measured in the seated and standing positions was higher than the pressures corresponding to 130% of rbSBP (p < 0.01), while no differences were observed between supine AOP and 130% of rbSBP. The value of 130% of rbSBP represented 78% and 73% of AOP in the seated and standing positions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Using 100 mmHg or 130% of rbSBP may result in AOP percentages within the recommended pressure range for BFR exercise prescription. It is important to note that these results are specific to AOP assessments performed with an 11-cm cuff. Supported by: PW and VSQ were financed in part by a scholarship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil - finance code 001.