The effect of a period of resistance training with reduced blood flow on plasma levels of myostatin and IL-6 in martial arts young men

Cytokines released from skeletal muscle are involved in the control of muscle mass. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a period of resistance training with reduced blood flow on plasma levels of myostatin and IL-6 in martial arts young men.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test. 20 young martial arts men aged 25 to 30 years and an average weight of 70 to 80 kg  were randomly assigned to two training groups with blood flow reduction (10 people) and the training group without blood flow reduction (10 people). A resistance training program with reduced blood flow was performed for four weeks. Myostatin and IL-6 concentrations were measured by ELISA One-way analysis of covariance was used for statistical analysis at the significance level of a = 0/05.

  The results of the present study showed that in the exercise group with decreased blood flow compared to the exercise group without decreased blood flow, the amount of myostatin decreased significantly (P=0.001) and the amount of IL-6 significantly increased (P=0.001).

Resistance training combined with reduced blood flow by reducing myostatin levels and increasing IL-6 levels can help improve anabolic conditions and muscle structure.