Effects of exercise with and without different degrees of blood flow restriction on torque and muscle activation

ABSTRACT Introduction An unresolved question in resistance training combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) is what percentage of estimated arterial occlusion pressure provides the most robust acute muscular response. Methods Forty participants were assigned to Experiments 1, 2, or 3. Each experiment completed exercise protocols differing by pressure, exercise load, and/or volume. Torque was measured pre‐ and postexercise, and muscle activation was measured pre‐ and during each set. Results Pressure and load did not affect torque greatly. Muscle activation increased in all conditions (P