Effect of High-Intensity Interval Exercise versus Continuous Low-Intensity Aerobic Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction on Psychophysiological Responses: A Randomized Crossover Study

• Published in: Journal of sports science & medicine Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 114 - 125
• Main Authors: de Queiros, Victor S, Rolnick, Nicholas, Sabag, Angelo, Wilde, Phelipe, Peçanha, Thiago, Aniceto, Rodrigo Ramalho, Rocha, Roberto Felipe Câmara, Delgado, Douglas Z, de Araújo Tinôco Cabral, Breno Guilherme, Dantas, Paulo Moreira Silva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Turkey Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 01.03.2024; Uludag University
• Subjects: Aerobic exercises; Aerobics; Analysis; Blood flow; Blood pressure; Comparative analysis; Exercise; Fitness equipment; Heart beat; Heart rate; Lactates; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Methods; Muscle fatigue; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Running; Sports training; Stress (Physiology); Brazil; Endurance Training; Affect; Blood Flow Restriction Therapy; Physical Exertion
• ISSN: 1303-2968; 1303-2968
• DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2024.114

This study compared the effect of continuous low-intensity aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction (LI-AE-BFR) versus high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), matching total external mechanical work between conditions, on perceptual (exertion, pain, affective and pleasure) and physiological responses (heart rate [HR], blood lactate [BL] and muscle fatigue). Ten healthy untrained men (25.6 ± 3.78 years old; 75.02 ± 12.02 kg; 172.2 ± 6.76 cm; 24.95 ± 3.16 kg/m²) completed three visits to the laboratory. In visit 1, anthropometry, blood pressure and peak running velocity on the treadmill were measured. In visits 2 and 3, participants were randomly assigned to HIIE or LI-AE-BFR, both in treadmill. HIIE consisted of 10 one-minute stimuli at 80% of peak running velocity interspersed with one-minute of passive recovery. LI-AE-BFR consisted of 20-minutes of continuous walking at 40% of peak running velocity with bilateral cuffs inflated to 50% of arterial occlusion pressure. BL and maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC - fatigue measure) were measured pre- and immediately post-exercise. HR, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and rating of perceived pain (RPP) were recorded after each stimulus in HIIE and every two minutes in LI-AE-BFR. Affective response to the session, pleasure, and future intention to exercise (FIE) were assessed 10 minutes after the intervention ended. Increases in BL concentrations were greater in HIIE (p = 0.028; = 0.51). No effects time or condition were reported for MIVC. HR was higher in HIIE at all analyzed time points (p < 0.001; d = 3.1 to 5.2). RPE did not differ between conditions (p > 0.05), while average session RPP was higher in LI-AE-BFR (p = 0.036; = 0.46). Affective positive response (p = 0.019; d = 0.9) and FIE (p = 0.013; d = 0.97) were significantly higher in HIIE. Therefore, HIIE elicited higher physiological stress, positive affective response, and intention to engage in future exercise bouts compared to LI-AE-BFR.