Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blood flow restriction resistance exercise is an emerging mode of resistance exercise that restricts blood flow at lower loads, achieving effects similar to or even better than high-load exercises. Current research on its specific mechanisms and applications in obesity improvement is still limited. Exploring the potential mechanisms of blood flow restriction resistance exercise and its application in obese populations could provide a novel exercise prescription option for this group.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential mechanisms of blood flow restriction resistance exercise on obesity-related metabolism by comparing the effect of a single session of traditional resistance exercise and blood flow restriction resistance exercise on serum metabolites in obese young men.
METHODS: Twenty-five obese young men underwent a single session of traditional resistance exercise (n=13) or blood flow restriction resistance exercise (n=12). Venous blood samples were collected before exercise, immediately post-exercise, 1 hour post-exercise, and 24 hours post-exercise. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the serum metabolome, focusing on the metabolites of the three major energy substances (carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids) and related metabolic pathways.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Both resistance exercise and blood flow restriction resistance exercise induced acute changes in the serum metabolomic profile. (2) In the traditional resistance exercise group, two carbohydrate differential metabolites, four lipid differential metabolites, and three amino acid differential metabolites were identified. In the blood flow restriction resistance exercise group, 10 lipid differential metabolites and 3 amino acid differential metabolites were discovered. (3) Both traditional resistance exercise and blood flow restriction resistance exercise significantly affected the serum metabolites in obese young men, with the greatest impact observed 1 hour post-exercise. Comparatively, blood flow restriction resistance exercise had a broader and more prolonged effect on the metabolites. (4) Traditional resistance exercise showed a more pronounced regulation of carbohydrate metabolites, particularly in the consumption of D-galactose and glycerol, while blood flow restriction resistance exercise exhibited unique advantages in the regulation of lipid and amino acid metabolites, such as an increase in phospholipids and the potential promotion of fatty acid oxidation via aspartic acid. These differences may be related to inflammation regulation and insulin sensitivity, but further research is needed to verify their clinical significance.

Key words: blood flow restriction resistance exercise, obesity, serum metabolites, metabolomics, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, engineered tissue construction