Effects of aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction on aerobic capacity and hemoglobin in male university athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v76.118470Keywords:
Aerobic exercise, blood flow restriction, hemoglobin, maximum oxygen consumption, university athletesAbstract
Introduction: Aerobic exercise remains a primary strategy for improving cardiorespiratory function. Recently, aerobic exercise combined with blood flow restriction has emerged as a low-load training approach with potential benefits for enhancing aerobic capacity and hemoglobin mediated oxygen transport in male university athletes.
Objective: To investigate and compare the effects of aerobic exercise combined with blood flow restriction on aerobic capacity and hemoglobin concentration in male university athletes.
Methods: Twenty-four male team-sport athletes (mean age: 20.33 ± 1.09 years) were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise group (AE; n = 12) or an aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction group (AE+BFR; n = 12). Both groups performed stationary cycling three times per week for six weeks under controlled laboratory conditions. The AE+BFR group trained with pneumatic cuffs applied to the proximal thighs at 60% of arterial occlusion pressure. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) and hemoglobin concentration were assessed before and after the intervention.
Results: After the intervention, both groups demonstrated improvements in aerobic capacity and hemoglobin concentration. However, the AE+BFR group exhibited significantly greater increases in VO₂max compared with the AE group (p = 0.005). Hemoglobin concentration tended to increase to a greater extent in the AE+BFR group than in the AE group, although the between-group difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Aerobic exercise combined with blood flow restriction is an effective and time-efficient training modality for enhancing aerobic capacity and may provide additional benefits for hemoglobin-related oxygen transport in male university athletes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sarocha Namboonlue, Tachapon Tongterm, Teethanit Phannikul, Kittamook La-bantao, Arunya Buttichak, Pitukchai Thangtong, Weerawat Tongyoddee, Chaiyawat Namboonlue
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