Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to analyze and compare heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) response, and peak blood lactate concentration ([lac]-peak) after a resistance exercise session with and without vascular occlusion.
METHODS:
Eight male subjects with previous experience in resistance training (23.38 ± 2.38 years; weight 76.75 ± 8.79 kg; height 1.75 ± 0.07 m) took part in this study. After performing a one repetition maximum(1RM) test, the subjects underwent three random sessions in the leg press exercise: (a) 4 sets of 8 repetitions + 1 set until exhaustion at 80% of 1RM without vascular occlusion (HI); (b) 4 sets of 16 repetitions + 1 set until exhaustion at 40% of 1RM with occlusion (LIO) and (c) 4 sets of 16 repetitions + 1 set with the same number of repetitions as LIO at 40% of 1RM without vascular occlusion (LI), in both legs alternately.
RESULTS:
It was observed that both HR and RPE were lower during almost all sessions when compared with HI (p< 0.05). In the LI session, both variables were initially similar in comparison with LIO, differentiating during the session (p< 0.05). The [lac]-peak in LIO was lower than HI, but higher than LI (p< 0.001). The correlations between RPE and HR (r= 0.88), RPE and [lac]-peak (r= 0.75), and HR and [lac]-peak (r= 0.84) were all strong.
CONCLUSION:
Resistance training associated with vascular occlusion causes lower physiological and perceived stress in comparison with conventional high intensity strength training.