Effects of low load resistance training with partial blood flow restriction in the strength and hypertrophy gains as well as in the muscle satellite cells content in elderly

Author(s)

Felipe Cassaro Vechin

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Educação Física e Esportes (EEFE/BT)
• Defense date: 2014-12-15

Examining board members

Carlos Ugrinowitsch; Patricia Chakur Brum

• Advisor: Carlos Ugrinowitsch

Abstract

The low load resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) emerged as an alternative training mode to traditional resistance training (RT), with moderate to high intensities, mainly to elderly, with some limitations or losses, unable to exercise the traditional RT. Thus, the aim of the present study was comparing the effectiveness of BFR to promote strength gains, increases in the muscle and fibers cross sectional area (CSAm and CSAf in that order) as well as an augment in the muscle satellite cells (SC) and myonucleous (MYO) contents in elderly with RT results in these variables. Thirty elderly individuals were ranked in quartiles according to their initial quadriceps CSA and then randomly allocated into one of the following groups: control (CG), low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction group (BFR) and high-intensity resistance training (HRT). After 12 weeks of training, twice a week, using the Leg Press exercise, both groups, BFR and HRT presented increases to muscle strength (17% P = 0,067 e 54% P < 0,001 respectively) and CSAm (P < 0,001; 6,6% e 7,9% respectively). The CG did not present any significantly alteration in these variables. After the intervention, the CSAf as well as the SC and MYO contents did not show any significantly alteration for the three groups. However in the CG was observed a CSAf decreases (type I = -16%; type II = -12%) even as in the SC and MYO (CS= -29,2; MYO = -9,7%). To the BFR group was observed an increase of 13% in the type II CSAf while type I presented a decrease of 6%. The CS content decreases 5% whereas MYO content show a increase of 14,6%. To the HRT, both fibers type, I and II, presented an increase in the CSAf (type I = 1%; type II = 12%). To CS and MYO contents HRT showed an augment of 32,6% and 3,6 % respectively. These finds indicate similar strength and hypertrophy gains between BFR and HRT, being both training capable to offset age-related loss in muscle strength and mass, placing the BFR as a surrogate approach to HRT. Comparing the CSAf as well as SC and MYO modulation after intervention in both groups with the control group, BFR and HRT seems capable to break the aging impact on these variables, being the HRT slightly more effective to increase the type I CSA and CS contents while BFR seems slight more effective to increase MYO contents after 12 weeks of training twice a week. On this way both training, BFR and HRT, showed able to preserve CSAf levels even as CS and MYO content during aging (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/09274-3 - EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING WITH VASCULAR OCCLUSION ON MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY AND MOLECULAR PATHWAYS OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND DEGRADATION IN ELDERLY
• Grantee: Felipe Cassaro Vechin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master