Effect of blood flow restriction on serum levels of some factors of muscle atrophy in male elite athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The cellular mechanisms preventing muscle atrophy after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) regeneration are not well understood. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on serum levels of some muscle atrophy factors in male athletes after ACL reconstruction surgery.

Twenty male athletes after ACL reconstruction surgery were selected and randomly divided into two groups of BFR training and control (10 in each group). Subjects in both groups performed resistance training (at intensity of 30 to 70 percentage of 10 repetition maximum, 2- 4 sets) for 12 weeks. Furthermore, subjects in the training group performed BFR training (resistance training combined with putting the pressure cuff in the upper thigh at a pressure of 120-180 mm Hg) during 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and 48 hours after the last training session and used for analyzing serum levels of atrogin 1 and muscle RING finger protein 1 (MuRF1). Data analysis was done by analysis of covariance and paired t test, and P<0.05 considered significant.

Twelve weeks of BFR training significantly decreased serum levels of atrogin 1 (P=0.01) and MuRF1 (P=0.035) in the post-test compared to the pre-test. In addition, significant differences were observed between the BFR and control groups for atrogin 1 levels (P=0.047).

The findings showed that BFR training reduces the concentration of major proteins associated with muscle atrophy such as atrogin-1 and MuRF1 and plays an important role in inhibiting atrophy and consequently can increase muscle mass following injury.