A Comparison of the Effect of Traditional Resistance Training with Resistance Training with Vascular Occlusion on Muscular Function and Cardiovascular Endurance in Young Females

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of resistance training with vascular occlusion with traditional resistance training on muscle function and cardiovascular endurance in young females. For this purpose, 43 female students were randomly divided into three groups: traditional resistance training (TRT, 70-80% 1RM, n=14), resistance training with vascular occlusion (RTVO, 20-30% 1RM with tying an elastic tourniquet around the proximal ends of thighs, n=16) and control (Con, n=13). Training program included 4 sets of leg extension, leg press and leg hock until exhaustion for eight weeks. Before and after the training program, muscular strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic power, explosive power, and cardiovascular endurance tests were performed. To analyze the data, one-way ANOVA was used in SPSS 16 (P<0.05). Results indicated that muscular strength, muscular endurance and explosive power (P<0.05) significantly increased after training in TRT and RTVO in comparison with Con. There was no significant difference between TRT and RTVO (P>0.05). It can be concluded that low intensity RTVO had similar effects in comparison with high intensity TRT on muscular strength, muscular endurance, and leg explosive power in young females. So, RTVO can be successfully replaced with TRT in young girls.