Acute Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) With Blood Flow Restriction: The Effect of Restriction Pressures

Context : Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) has been shown to improve muscular strength and size better than NMES alone. However, previous studies used varied methodologies not recommended by or BFR research. Objective The present study investigated the acute effects of varying degrees using research-recommended procedures enhance understanding clinical applicability this combination. Design Randomized crossover. Setting Physiology laboratory. Participants A total 20 healthy adults (age 27 [4] y; height 177 [8] cm; body mass 77 [13] kg). Interventions Six sessions separated at least 7 days. first 2 visits served as familiarization, experimental conditions performed in final 4 sessions: alone, 40% BFR, 60% 80% BFR. Main Outcome Measures Maximal voluntary isometric contraction, muscle thickness, pressure, heart rate, rating perceived exertion, pain were all recorded before after each condition. Results caused greater maximal contraction decline any other condition (−38.9 [22.3] N·m, P < .01). Vastus medialis vastus lateralis thickness acutely increased ( .05). Pain ratings exertion higher compared No cardiovascular observed between conditions. Conclusion force decrement perceptual These observations must be during chronic interventions corroborate relationship changes populations.