Effects of 12 weeks of low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training on body composition, muscle strength, and arterial elastic function in young adults

doi:10.12307/2025.395

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: High-intensity resistance training effectively improves muscle strength, but with a high risk of arteriosclerosis; high-intensity resistance training combined with aerobic exercise effectively reduces the level of arteriosclerosis; low-intensity resistance combined with blood flow restriction training does not require high load strength to stimulate muscles, which may be a scientific training method to improve muscle strength and maintain arterial elasticity.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of 12 weeks of low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training on body composition, muscle strength, and arterial elasticity in young people, thereby providing theoretical support for the development of personalized training programs.
METHODS: Fifty-five college students were randomly recruited and divided by drawing lots into high-intensity resistance training group, high-intensity resistance training combined with aerobic exercise group, and low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training group. All participants were subjected to 12 weeks of high-intensity resistance training, high-intensity resistance training combined with aerobic exercise, or low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training, and their body composition, muscle strength, and arterial elasticity were tested after training.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 12 weeks of training intervention, the lean body mass of the high-intensity resistance training group and the low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training group significantly increased (P < 0.05). The one-repetition maximum and knee isokinetic muscle strength significantly increased in all the three groups (P < 0.05). The arterial elasticity of the high-intensity resistance training combined with aerobic exercise group and the low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training group significantly improved (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that 12 weeks of high-intensity resistance training and low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training significantly improve body composition; all the three training programs can increase muscle strength; 12 weeks of high-intensity resistance training combined with aerobic exercise and low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training both improve arterial elasticity, and the effect of low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training is superior to that of high-intensity resistance training combined with aerobic exercise. Therefore, it is recommended that low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training be used as the preferred training method to improve arterial elasticity, thus reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建；骨细胞；软骨细胞；细胞培养；成纤维细胞；血管内皮细胞；骨质疏松；组织工程

Key words: high-intensity resistance training, aerobic exercise, blood flow restriction training, body composition, muscle strength, arterial elastic function

CLC Number:

Jia Yuexin, Tian Saisai, Qi Xiaohong, Zhang Suqin. Effects of 12 weeks of low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction training on body composition, muscle strength, and arterial elastic function in young adults[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2025, 29(12): 2521-2527.

Figures/Tables 4

References

[1] KRAEMER WJ, RATAMESS NA, FLANAGAN SD, et al. Understanding the Science of Resistance Training: An Evolutionary Perspective. Sports Med. 2017;47(12):2415-2435.
[2] NYSTORIAK MA, BHATNAGAR A. Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135.
[3] VINA J, SANCHIS-GOMAR F, MARTINEZ-BELLO V, et al. Exercise acts as a drug; the pharmacological benefits of exercise. Br J Pharmacol. 2012;167(1):1-12.
[4] MIYACHI M, KAWANO H, SUGAWARA J, et al. Unfavorable effects of resistance training on central arterial compliance: a randomized intervention study. Circulation. 2004;110(18):2858-2863.
[5] SUGA T, OKITA K, TAKADA S, et al. Effect of multiple set on intramuscular metabolic stress during low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012;112(11):3915-3920.
[6] OZAKI H, YASUDA T, OGASAWARA R, et al. Effects of high-intensity and blood flow-restricted low-intensity resistance training on carotid arterial compliance: role of blood pressure during training sessions. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013;113(1):167-174.
[7] ZOUNGAS S, ASMAR RP. Arterial stiffness and cardiovascular outcome. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2007;34(7):647-651.
[8] KAWANO H, TANAKA H, MIYACHI M. Resistance training and arterial compliance: keeping the benefits while minimizing the stiffening. J Hypertens. 2006;24(9):1753-1759.
[9] GARCÍA-RODRÍGUEZ P, PECCI J, VÁZQUEZ-GONZÁLEZ S,et al. Acute and Chronic Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Physically Active Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review. Sports Health. 2023;12(1):194-199.
[10] JAVORSKÝ T, SAETERBAKKEN AH, ANDERSEN V, et al. Comparing low volume of blood flow restricted to high-intensity resistance training of the finger flexors to maintain climbing-specific strength and endurance: a crossover study. Front Sports Act Living. 2023;5:1256136.
[11] LOWE TW, TENAN MS, SHAH K, et al. Low-load blood flow restriction reduces time-to-minimum single motor unit discharge rate. Exp Brain Res. 2023;241(11-12):2795-2805.
[12] CURTY VM, MELO AB, CALDAS LC, et al. Blood flow restriction attenuates eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage without perceptual and cardiovascular overload. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2018;38(3):468-476.
[13] VECHIN FC, LIBARDI CA, CONCEIÇÃO MS, et al. Comparisons between low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction and high-intensity resistance training on quadriceps muscle mass and strength in elderly. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(4):1071-1076.
[14] HUANG PY, JANKAEW A, LIN CF. Effects of Plyometric and Balance Training on Neuromuscular Control of Recreational Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Laboratory Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(10):5269.
[15] DE OLIVEIRA CA, LUCIANO E, MARCONDES MC, et al. Effects of swimming training at the intensity equivalent to aerobic/anaerobic metabolic transition in alloxan diabetic rats. J Diabetes Complications. 2007;21(4):258-264.
[16] AINSWORTH BE, HASKELL WL, HERRMANN SD, et al. 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: a second update of codes and MET values. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(8):1575-1581.
[17] HARPER SA, ROBERTS LM, LAYNE AS, et al. Blood-Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise for Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Med. 2019;8(2):265.
[18] 李嘉玮,陶欣雨,姜荣荣,等.基于InBody的护生人体成分测定与分析[J].医学信息,2020,33(10):143-146.
[19] COBAN O, YILDIRIM NU, YASA ME, et al Determining the number of repetitions to establish isokinetic knee evaluation protocols specific to angular velocities of 60°/second and 180°/second. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021;25:255-260.
[20] ESGIN T, JOHNSTON N, ROWLEY K, et al. Effect of 12 weeks combined aerobic and resistance training on fitness, arterial stiffness and body composition in Indigenous Australian men and women. J Sci Med Sport. 2017; 20(3): 43-51.
[21] SCHOENFELD BJ. The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(10): 2857-2872.
[22] TAKADA S, OKITA K, SUGA T, et al. Low-intensity exercise can increase muscle mass and strength proportionally to enhanced metabolic stress under ischemic conditions. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2012;113(2):199-205.
[23] SLYSZ J, STULTZ J, BURR JF. The efficacy of blood flow restricted exercise: A systematic review & meta-analysis. J Sci Med Sport. 2016;19(8):669-675.
[24] FARUP J, DE PAOLI F, BJERG K, et al. Blood flow restricted and traditional resistance training performed to fatigue produce equal muscle hypertrophy. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015;25(6):754-763.
[25] DOCHERTY D, SPORER B. A proposed model for examining the interference phenomenon between concurrent aerobic and strength training. Sports Med. 2000;30(6):385-394.
[26] LUNDBERG TR, FEUERBACHER JF, SÜNKELER M, et al. The Effects of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training on Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2022;52(10):2391-2403.
[27] KISHTON RJ, BARNES CE, NICHOLS AG, et al. AMPK Is Essential to Balance Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Metabolism to Control T-ALL Cell Stress and Survival. Cell Metab. 2016;23(4):649-662.
[28] RICHTER EA, RUDERMAN NB. AMPK and the biochemistry of exercise: implications for human health and disease. Biochem J. 2009;418(2): 261-275.
[29] WEWEGE MA, DESAI I, HONEY C, et al. The Effect of Resistance Training in Healthy Adults on Body Fat Percentage, Fat Mass and Visceral Fat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2022;52(2):287-300.
[30] YASUDA T, OGASAWARA R, SAKAMAKI M, et al. Relationship between limb and trunk muscle hypertrophy following high-intensity resistance training and blood flow-restricted low-intensity resistance training. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2011;31(5):347-351.
[31] SILLANPÄÄ E, LAAKSONEN DE, HÄKKINEN A, et al. Body composition, fitness, and metabolic health during strength and endurance training and their combination in middle-aged and older women. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009;106(2):285-296.
[32] WILSON JM, MARIN PJ, RHEA MR, et al. Concurrent training: a meta-analysis examining interference of aerobic and resistance exercises. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26(8):2293-2307.
[33] SCOTT BR, LOENNEKE JP, SLATTERY KM, et al. Blood flow restricted exercise for athletes: A review of available evidence. J Sci Med Sport. 2016;19(5):360-367.
[34] ANDERSEN LL, ANDERSEN JL, ZEBIS MK, et al. Early and late rate of force development: differential adaptive responses to resistance training? Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010;20(1):e162-169.
[35] FERRARI R, FUCHS SC, KRUEL LF, et al. Effects of Different Concurrent Resistance and Aerobic Training Frequencies on Muscle Power and Muscle Quality in Trained Elderly Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Aging Dis. 2016;7(6):697-704.
[36] FAHS CA, ROSSOW LM, LOENNEKE JP, et al. Effect of different types of lower body resistance training on arterial compliance and calf blood flow. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2012;32(1):45-51.
[37] 刘严,齐丽彤,马为,等.桡动脉反射波增强指数与其他动脉硬化指标的关系[J].北京大学学报(医学版),2013,45(6):916-922.
[38] OTSUKI T, NAMATAME H, YOSHIKAWA T, et al. Combined aerobic and low-intensity resistance exercise training increases basal nitric oxide production and decreases arterial stiffness in healthy older adults. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2020;66(1):62-66.
[39] RAKOBOWCHUK M, MCGOWAN CL, DE GROOT PC, et al. Effect of whole body resistance training on arterial compliance in young men. Exp Physiol. 2005;90(4):645-651.
[40] LITWIN M, OBRYCKI Ł, NIEMIRSKA A, et al. Central systolic blood pressure and central pulse pressure predict left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive children. Pediatr Nephrol. 2019;34(4):703-712.