The Effects of Eight Weeks Interval Training with and Without Blood Flow Restriction at Different Intensities on Endurance Performance, Strength and Serum Level of Myostatin in Male Athletes

Blood flow restriction has been suggested as a complementary method to improving physical fitness indicators. However, the efficacy of this method along with interval running training has received less attention. The aim of this study was to examination the effects of eight weeks interval-training with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) at different intensities on endurance performance, strength and serum level of Myostatian in male athletes.

Thirty two young athletes (19.6 ± 0.49 years; 59.3 ± 6.44 kg) were selected and randomly divided into four groups and training based percent of maximal aerobic speed (MAS): 85% MAS with (N=8) and without (N=8) BFR, 100% MAS (N=8) and control (N=8). The participants completed 24 training sessions (3 sessions per week) comprised of repeated bouts of 2 min running on a treadmill interspersed by 1-min recovery. Blood sampling and tests were taken before and after training period. The one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine difference between groups. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05.

There were significant difference in leg muscle strength, endurance performance and serum level of Myostatin between groups. Leg muscle strength significantly increased only in group 85%+BFR and endurance performance significantly increased in 85% with BFR and 100 groups, so, serum level of Myostatin significantly decreased in 85% with BFR and 100 groups.

The results suggest that low intensity interval running with BFR can improves simultaneously both aerobic fitness and muscle strength in athletes and more benefit have in compare to high intensity interval training.