Low-volume strength and endurance training prevent the decrease in exercise hyperemia induced by non-dominant forearm immobilization

We examined the effect of 3-week upper limb immobilization on conduit artery cross-sectional area and peak hyperemia (BF peak ) after exhaustive dynamic handgrip exercise (Ex dyn ), and that of low-volume strength and endurance training during immobilization. Healthy volunteers ( n = 21; mean age, 22 years) were divided into 3 groups: immobilization only (IMM; n = 7), immobilization with training (STR + END; n = 7), and control (no immobilization or training, CNT; n = 7). Endurance training comprised Ex dyn at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) (duration of each session, ~60 s; twice weekly). Strength training involved intermittent isometric handgrip exercise at 70% MVC (duration of each session, 40 s; twice weekly), repeated 10 times. We used ultrasound methods to measure the brachial artery cross-sectional area and the BF peak after Ex dyn for 5 min pre- and post-immobilization. We found a significant group by time interaction in BF peak ( p