Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, high-intensity interval exercise has been widely used and gained attention due to its short duration. However, its safety has been seriously questioned because of its high intensity and the controversial effects on the heart. Therefore, exploring time-efficient, intensity-controllable exercise interventions with good compliance has become a research hotspot in the field of exercise science.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of blood flow restriction combined with aerobic exercise on energy expenditure.
METHODS: Fifteen male college students were recruited. A repeated-measures crossover design was used to design two exercise protocols: low-intensity aerobic exercise (non-blood flow restriction group) and blood flow restriction training combined with low-intensity aerobic exercise (blood flow restriction group). Both protocols were performed at 40% maximal oxygen uptake, with 10 minutes of running per session, 1 minute rest between sessions, for a total of five sessions and an exercise duration of 54 minutes. In the blood flow restriction group, a cuff was placed at the most proximal end of both lower limbs and pressurized to 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure before exercise, and the pressure was released during each exercise interval. The interval between the two exercise protocols was at least 72 hours. Blood lactate, energy expenditure during exercise, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Total energy expenditure was significantly higher in the blood flow restriction group than in the non-blood flow restriction group (P < 0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in the energy supply ratios of the three major energy systems (aerobic, anaerobic-lactate, and anaerobic-phosphagen) between the non-blood flow restriction group and the blood flow restriction group (P > 0.05). (3) The total excess post-exercise oxygen consumption within 40 minutes of the exercise recovery period was significantly higher in the blood flow restriction group than in the non-blood flow restriction group (P < 0.05). Heart rate at 1 minute of the recovery period was significantly higher in the blood flow restriction group than in the non-blood flow restriction group (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, or blood pressure between the two groups at other time points. To conclude, these findings indicate that blood flow restriction training combined with low-intensity aerobic exercise can increase energy expenditure and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption without additionally increasing the rating of perceived exertion, providing an additional training option for individuals seeking to improve their physical activity levels. However, attention should be paid to the increase in heart rate during the recovery period.

Key words: blood flow restriction training, aerobic exercise, energy expenditure, body mass control, male college students, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, metabolic system, heart rate, blood pressure, rehabilitation application