The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on Recovery After Experimentally Induced Muscle Weakness and Pain.

ABSTRACT: Wong, V, Dankel, SJ, Spitz, RW, Bell, ZW, Viana, RB, Chatakondi, RN, Abe, T, and Loenneke, JP. The effect of blood flow restriction therapy on recovery after experimentally induced muscle weakness and pain. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1147-1152, 2022-The purpose was to determine if blood flow restriction with no external load could be used as a means of active therapy after experimentally induced fatigue and soreness. Twelve women and 7 men (aged 18-35 years) participated in a randomized controlled trial using a within-subject design. The study intervention was 3 consecutive visits. Visit 1 included the fatiguing/soreness-inducing protocol for the elbow flexors, which was performed only once during the study. Torque was measured before/after to confirm individuals began in a weakened state. Subjects then completed blood flow restriction therapy on one arm and the sham therapy on the other. Subjects performed elbow flexion/contraction with no external load on both arms. Torque was measured once more 10 minutes after the fatiguing/soreness-inducing protocol. Twenty-four hours later, soreness and torque were assessed in each arm, followed by another bout of therapy. Forty-eight hours after the initial visit, soreness and torque were measured again. There were no differences (median difference [95% credible interval]) in the recovery of torque between the blood flow restriction and sham therapy conditions at 10 minutes (0.5 [-2.7, 3.8] N·m), 24 hours (-2.34 [-6, 1.14] N·m), or 48 hours (-1.94 [-5.45, 1.33] N·m). There were also no differences in ratings of soreness at 24 hours (-2.48 [-10.05, 5.05]) or 48 hours (2.58 [-4.96, 10.09]). Our results indicate that this specific model of blood flow restriction therapy did not enhance the recovery of the muscle compared with a sham condition without the application of pressure.

Blood Flow Restricted Exercise and Discomfort: A Review.

ABSTRACT: Spitz, RW, Wong, V, Bell, ZW, Viana, RB, Chatakondi, RN, Abe, T, and Loenneke, JP. Blood flow restricted exercise and discomfort: A review. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 871-879, 2022-Blood flow restriction exercise involves using a pneumatic cuff or elastic band to restrict arterial inflow into the muscle and block venous return out of the muscle during the exercise bout. The resultant ischemia in conjunction with low-load exercise has shown to be beneficial with increasing muscle size and strength. However, a limitation of using blood flow restriction (BFR) is the accompanying discomfort associated with this type of exercise. Factors that may influence discomfort are applied pressure, width of the cuff, cuff material, sex, and training to failure. The goal of this review was to evaluate the existing literature and elucidate how these factors can be manipulated to reduce discomfort during exercise as well as provide possible directions for future research. Thirty-eight different studies were located investigating BFR and discomfort. It was found that BFR training causes more discomfort than exercise without BFR. However, chronic use of BFR may increase tolerability, but discomfort may still be elevated over traditional non-blood flow restricted exercise. Discomfort can be attenuated by the application of lower applied pressures and stopping short of task failure. Finally, in the upper body, wider cuffs seem to increase ratings of discomfort compared with more narrow cuffs. In conclusion, applying the proper-sized cuff and making the applied pressure relative to both the individual and the cuff applied may attenuate discomfort. Reducing discomfort during exercise may help increase adherence to exercise and rehabilitation programs.

Postactivation Potentiation Improves Performance in a Resistance Training Session in Trained Men.

ABSTRACT: Alves, RR, Viana, RB, Silva, MH, Guimarães, TC, Vieira, CA, Santos, DdAT, and Gentil, PRV. Postactivation potentiation improves performance in a resistance training session in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3296-3299, 2021-This study aims to analyze the influence of postactivation potentiation (PAP) on performance during a resistance training (RT) session in trained individuals. Fourteen trained men (25.0 ± 3.5 years; 89.9 ± 16.3 kg; 1.77 ± 0:08 m; 28.0 ± 4.0 kg·m-2; and 5 ± 4 years of RT experience) were tested in 2 situations: with PAP and without PAP (CON). Both situations involved 3 sets of the bench press exercise performed to muscle failure at 75% of the 1 repetition maximum load and with 1.5-minute interval between sets. Total work was greater (p < 0.001) for PAP (1,601 ± 504 kg) than for CON (1,379 ± 364 kg). The number of repetitions performed in the first and second sets of PAP (11.5 ± 3.1 and 6.5 ± 1.9, respectively) were greater (p < 0.05) than those performed in CON (10.4 ± 2.7, 5.5 ± 1.8, respectively). No significant difference was found in the number of repetitions in the last set between the situations. The present study suggests that PAP might be beneficial to improve total work and performance during multiple sets of RT in trained men. Therefore, PAP might be used during RT to promote higher total work and potentially increase results over long term. Thus, the protocol can use in sports centers, fitness centers, and gyms per coaches and athletes to increase performance and total work in trained individuals.

Influence of sex and resistance training status on orofacial muscle strength and morphology in healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 40: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the orofacial muscle strength and facial muscle thickness between resistance-trained and non-resistance trained men and women. METHODS: Resistance-trained (25 men and 22 women) and non-resistance trained (21 men and 30 women) adults (18-40 years) had standard measurements of orofacial muscle strength (ie, anterior tongue elevation, cheek compression, and lip compression) and ultrasound measurements of facial muscle thickness. Body composition (percent fat, etc.) was estimated using ultrasound prediction Equations. A Bayesian analysis of variance (ANOVA) with between subject factors of training status (yes/no) and sex (man/woman) were used to determine differences in muscle size and strength. RESULTS: Body mass, height, and percent fat were similar between resistance-trained and non-resistance trained individuals, while appendicular lean mass was higher in resistance-trained. There were no differences in orofacial muscle strength between resistance-trained and non-resistance trained. However, men had greater strength in every task except for anterior tongue strength which was similar between sexes (men: 66 vs women: 64 kPa). Handgrip strength was greater in men and in those who were resistance-trained. The frontalis muscle was greater in women than in men and in those who were non-resistance-trained than those resistance-trained. None of the other muscles differed by training status, however, all were greater in men. CONCLUSION: Results from our cross-sectional study would suggest that exercise-stimulation to the facial muscles during resistance training of the limbs and trunk did not reach a level where orofacial muscle strength could be changed. Sex differences in facial muscle thickness are very unique, although the reasons are unclear.

Skeletal muscle mass in female athletes: The average and the extremes.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the absolute and relative skeletal muscle mass (SM) in female athletes and to discuss the potential upper limit of whole-body muscle mass between large sized female and male athletes. METHODS: Forty-five female athletes and forty-five recreationally active females (control) had muscle thickness measured by ultrasound at nine sites on the anterior and posterior aspects of the body. SM was estimated from an ultrasound-derived prediction equation. Body fat percentage and fat-free mass (FFM) were calculated from ultrasound measured subcutaneous fat thickness. To eliminate fat-free component of adipose tissue (FFAT), we calculated FFM minus FFAT (FFM-FFAT). RESULTS: FFM, FFM-FFAT, and muscle mass were markedly higher in athletes. Fat Mass was similar (Athlete: 14.9 kg vs Control: 12.9 kg [median value]). The large-sized female athletes had approximately 9 to 11 kg FFAT which corresponds to about 10% to 15% of FFM. Seven of the female athletes had more than 60 kg of FFM-FFAT, the largest of whom had 77.0 kg of FFM-FFAT. SM increased in a parabolic fashion reaching a value of 35 kg SM beyond 100 kg body mass. Only one of the athletes had a SM index of more than 13 kg/m2 . CONCLUSIONS: Female athletes had much greater muscle mass than controls. In large-sized female athletes, the influence of FFAT needs to be considered when interpreting their FFM. In addition, the largest SM index in female athletes was 13.2 kg/m2 , which was approximately 77% of that observed with the largest male athlete ever recorded. This difference appears similar to that observed in nonathletes.

Does resistance training increase aponeurosis width? The current results and future tasks.

PURPOSE: The aponeurosis, a sheet of fibrous tissue, is the deep and superficial fascia where muscle fibers attach in pennate muscles. It is quite possible that the aponeurosis size increases in response to resistance training-induced fiber hypertrophy due to an increase in connection area. As a result, it leads to an increase in anatomical muscle cross-sectional area. However, attention has not been paid to aponeurosis area changes. This review sought to determine whether muscle hypertrophy changes aponeurosis width following short-term resistance training using an equation we modified [post/pre changes in aponeurosis width (AWpost/pre) = post/pre changes in anatomical cross-sectional area (CSApost/pre) ÷ post/pre changes in pennation angle (PApost/pre) ÷ post/pre changes in fascicle length (FLpost/pre)]. METHODS: A search using two electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) was conducted. Nine studies measured CSApost/pre, PApost/pre, and FLpost/pre of the vastus lateralis muscle by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant 2.73 [95% CI 1.11, 4.36; p = 0.009] cm2 increase in CSApost/pre along with a statistically significant 1.21° [95% CI 0.44, 1.97; p = 0.002] increase in PApost/pre and a statistically significant 0.36 cm [95% CI 0.19, 0.54; p = 0.0002] increase in FLpost/pre. These results yield an estimated 1% reduction in aponeurosis width. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that while muscle CSA, pennation angle, and fascicle length all increase following short-term resistance training, the aponeurosis width is not altered.

The effects of one session of roller massage on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Roller massage has become a popular intervention in sports settings in order to treat muscle soreness and stiffness, as well as improving post-exercise recovery, although there is limited evidence for these assumptions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single session of roller massage, applied with a controlled force after an exercise-induced muscle damage protocol, on muscle recovery. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was performed using a repeated-measures design. Thirty-six young men completed four sets of six eccentric actions of elbow flexors at 90°/s with a 90s rest interval between sets. Participants were randomly assigned into one of three groups: 1) Roller massage (n = 12), 2) Sham (n = 12), and 3) Control (n = 12). Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), range of motion (ROM), and muscle thickness were measured at baseline, and at 24, 48, and 72 h post exercise. RESULTS: There was no significant group by time interaction for MIVC (p = 0.090) and ROM (p = 0.416). Also, although there was a significant group by time interaction for muscle thickness (p = 0.028), post hoc test did not find significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). DOMS was recovered at 72 h for roller massage (p < 0.001) and control (p < 0.001) groups, while the Sham group did not recover from DOMS across 72 h (p < 0.001). There was also no significant difference between groups in DOMS at any time (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A single session of roller massage applied on elbow flexors had no effect on recovery of MIVC, muscle swelling, ROM and DOMS.

The separate effects of whole oats and isolated beta-glucan on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is well known that dietary fiber positively impacts the microbiome and health as a whole. However, the health effects of ß-glucan, a dietary fiber extracted from oats, have been questioned when administered alone or incorporated into other foods. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of oats or ß-glucan supplements on the lipid profile. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials with parallel-arm or crossover blinded interventions at least two weeks in duration, for hyperlipidemic or non-hyperlipidemic men and women ≥18 years of age were selected. Only single (participants blinded) or double-blinded studies that compared oat or isolated ß-glucan with a placebo/control group were considered for this review. The databases EMBASE, PubMed, Web of science and CINHAL were searched, from the earliest indexed year available online to the end of January 2022. Random-effects models were used to combine the estimated effects extracted from individual studies, and data were summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: A total of 811 articles were screened for eligibility, and relevant data were extracted from 28 studies, totaling 1494 subjects. Oat interventions TC (-0.61, 95%CI: -0.84;-0.39, p < 0.00001, and -0.70, 95%CI: -1.07;-0.34, p = 0.0002, respectively) and LDL (-0.51, 95%CI: -0.71;-0.31, p < 0.00001, and -0.38, 95%CI: -0.60;-0.15, p = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, isolated ß-glucan interventions from parallel-arm studies decreased TC (-0.73, 95%CI: -1.01;-0.45, p < 0.00001), LDL (-0.58, 95%CI: -0.85;-0.32, p < 0.0001) and triglycerides (-0.30, 95%CI: -0.49;-0.12, p = 0.001). HDL was not altered by either oat or isolated ß-glucan (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, this review showed that both oat and isolated ß-glucan interventions improved lipid profiles. Furthermore, the ingestion of oats or isolated ß-glucan supplements are effective tools to combat dyslipidemia and should be considered in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Effect of both dance exergame and a traditional exercise on state anxiety and enjoyment in women.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders affect many people around the world and women are more affected than men. Physical exercise might be an important nonpharmacological tool to ameliorate these disorders. The aim of this study was to compare state anxiety level and enjoyment between a dance exergame session and a traditional aerobic exercise. METHODS: Twenty healthy young women completed 3 visits, on separate days. At the first visit, participants performed a graded exercise testing and familiarization procedures. In other two visits, participants completed two exercise sessions (dance exergame and traditional aerobic exercise), with similar intensities and duration. Each session lasted approximately 45 minutes. State anxiety level was evaluated before, immediately post- and 10 minutes post-sessions. Enjoyment was evaluated immediately post-sessions. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between session and time (P<0.001), a main effect of time (P=0.007) but no significant main effect of session (P=0.057) on state anxiety level. State anxiety level immediately post (P<0.001) and 10 minutes postsession (P<0.001) were significantly lower than predance exergame session. There were no significant changes between pre-, immediately post and 10 minutes post-traditional aerobic exercise session (P>0.05). State anxiety level at immediately post dance exergame session was significantly lower than immediately post traditional aerobic exercise session (P=0.026). Dance exergame session was significantly more enjoyable than traditional aerobic exercise session (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dance exergames might be used as a tool to reduce anxiety level in young women.

Acute effects of exergame-based calisthenics versus traditional calisthenics on state-anxiety levels in young adult men: a randomized trial.

Purpose: This study compared the acute effects of an exergame-based calisthenics (EXG) session versus a traditional calisthenics (TC) session on state anxiety levels in healthy adult men, and compared the mean heart rate, number of repetitions performed, enjoyment, and affective valence reported by the participants between sessions. Methods: Thirty-six young adult men performed two 30-min sessions of physical exercise in random order (EXG and TC). The same exercise protocol was used for each session; however, the TC session was guided by an exercise science professional. State anxiety was assessed before and immediately after each session. Heart rate was monitored during the sessions. Enjoyment and affective valence were assessed immediately after the sessions. In addition, the number of repetitions performed was recorded. Results: There was no significant interaction between sessions (EXG vs. TC) and time (pre vs. post-session) (p = 0.102), no significant effect of session (p = 0.587), and no significant effect of time (p = 0.121). Participants presented a higher mean heart rate (+ 3.5%, p = 0.020) and number of repetitions performed (+ 43.7%, p < 0.001) in the TC session compared with the EXG session. There was no difference in enjoyment (p = 0.804) and affective (p = 0.195) valence between the EXG and TC sessions. Conclusion: The EXG and TC sessions did not reduce state anxiety levels. Nor did they increase enjoyment or affective valence in healthy young adult men. However, the TC session evoked a higher mean heart rate and higher training volume than the EXG session. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11332-021-00841-9.

COVID-19: It's still time for health professionals, physical activity enthusiasts and sportive leagues not to let guard down.

Emerging viral diseases represent a serious issue to public and global healthcare systems and have a high potential for disease dissemination in sport/physical activity and exercise facilities. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has frightened the sports and physical activity community and enthusiasts for potential transmission, dissemination, and lethality in vulnerable populations; those with chronic diseases, co-morbidities, the elderly people, and in young and healthy people. This pandemic has caused a chain reaction with cancellations of sports competitions and gymnasiums closing around the world. Currently, some sporting events are gradually resuming in certain regions of the world and also the return of competitions and training. In general, without fans and public, the sports media can only report the infection of athletes and coaching staff members. However, this situation is dynamic - the world is currently experiencing the second wave of the disease; with the safety and containment measures for the disease is changing daily. The purpose of this article is to present information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, to clarify health issues for professionals and people connected to sport and physical activity venues, presenting information to assist in educations and the health promotion and prevention. The time is now for making changes, reviewing the actions and conducts necessary for prevention, and most importantly not letting our guard down, even as vaccines become available for all people in the world. Remembering that even after getting vaccinated, it is necessary to continue with safety measures, for example, the use of facial masks and social distance and hygiene, that is, washing your hands frequently and/or sanitizing with 70% alcohol. We can't let our guard down for COVID-19.

Physical exercise and COVID-19 pandemic in PubMed: Two months of dynamics and one year of original scientific production.

Our aim was to conduct a narrative review about physical exercise and Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A literature search was completed crossing the keywords "COVID-19" and "physical exercise", for a narrative review, and physical activity (PA), physical exercise, physical training, sport, physical fitness, for a systematic review; search strategy (Randomized Controlled Trial, in the last 1 year, English). The first search date was closed on 04/26/2020 and 06/26/2020. This strategy was chosen to assess the dynamics of scientific information production for the pandemic. In two months, an increase of 76%, from 12 (19.4%) to 50 (80.64%) COVID-19 articles (n = 62, 100%) was found. The main types of articles published were editorial articles (16.13%, n = 10 of 62 articles) and commentary (9.68%, n = 6 of 62 articles). The most frequent country of origin of the scientific production was the United States (12.90%, n = 8 of 62 articles), the United Kingdom (12.90%, n = 8 of 62 articles), and Brazil (11.29%, n = 7 of 62 articles). However, in 2020, there were only 2 relevant randomized controlled trials on the COVID-19 topic in the context of physical exercise. Scientific information production shows the concern of the PA science community to bring a solution to the increase in physical inactivity generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings show the dynamics of scientific production on the COVID-19, in a situation so unique such as a pandemic, denotes that the practice of PA is essential to improve and/or maintain physical and mental health.

Isokinetic Muscle Strength and Postural Sway of Recreationally Active Older Adults vs. Master Road Runners.

Trunk muscle strength and control is an important prerequisite for everyday activities among elderly people decreasing the predisposition to falls. High levels of physical exercise performed by older athletes could offer benefits to core/trunk muscle strength and postural control compared with recreational physical activities and among elderly people with lower levels of physical activity. The present study aimed to compare trunk muscle strength and postural control of older running athletes vs. older physically active adults. Participants were master road runners (RUN, n = 15, six women, 64.3 ± 3.6 years) and physically active elderly (control group, CON, n = 15, six women, 65.4 ± 5.0 years) people that were submitted to the evaluations: esthesiometer, posturography (force plate), and isokinetic test (Biodex dynamometer) of trunk muscle extension and flexion. RUN presented higher values for relative peak torque of trunk extensor muscles at 60°/s (p = 0.046) and 180°/s (p = 0.007) and relative average power during trunk extension at 60°/s (p = 0.008) and 180°/s (p = 0.004) compared to CON. CON had a higher medial-lateral oscillation speed of the center of pressure in the stable condition with eyes closed (p = 0.004) compared to RUN. RUN presented higher isokinetic torque of extensor trunk muscles and better postural control than CON. This supposedly could help with postural control and balance and contribute to the prevention of falls among the elderly. The practice of running systematically by master athletes may partially explained our findings.

Blood Flow Restriction Exercise: Effects of Sex, Cuff Width, and Cuff Pressure on Perceived Lower Body Discomfort.

Narrow cuffs cause less discomfort than wide cuffs immediately following elbow flexion exercise in combination with blood flow restriction, possibly due to a balling up effect of the bicep underneath the cuff. In this study, we sought to examine the impact of cuff width, sex, and pressure on perceived discomfort in the quadriceps, following knee extensions. One hundred participants completed three separate experiments. In Experiment 1, we compared participants' discomfort at rest after using a 5 and a 12 cm cuff. In Experiment 2, we compared the discomfort from these two cuffs after four sets of exercise. In Experiment 3, we used the same exercise protocol as in Experiment 2, but we compared the discomfort between a 12 cm cuff inflated to an inappropriate pressure and a 12 cm cuff inflated to the recommended pressure. We found no sex differences in Experiments 1 and 3. In Experiment 1, the narrow cuff had higher discomfort (16 vs 12 AU). In Experiment 2, men reported higher discomfort than women, with no discomfort differences related to cuff width, though narrow cuffs were most preferred. In Experiment 3, cuffs inflated to a pressure intended for narrow cuffs were associated with higher discomfort, and participants preferred to use it less. In summary, we found no strong evidence for discomfort differences due to cuff width. There was some indication that participants preferred narrow cuffs with pressures inflated to the recommended relative pressure. Muscle shape may influence how cuff width affects discomfort.

Comment on: Problematic online gaming and the COVID-19 pandemic - The role of exergames.

Although significant increases in gaming may not always be beneficial, exergames (a new generation of video games also known as exergaming or active video games) appear as an alternative, feasible, attractive, and safe way to perform physical exercise for most clinical and nonclinical populations. Therefore, it is important to recognize that exergames can be considered a useful tool for coping with the COVID-19 outbreak and the recommended social distancing period.

Postactivation performance enhancement: Does conditioning one arm augment performance in the other?

The purpose was to determine whether postactivation performance enhancement is specific to the muscle being conditioned or if it is also observed within the homologous muscles of the contralateral limb (after accounting for the warm-up and random error). We also investigated whether this differed based on training status or muscle size. One hundred seven participants (75 untrained; 32 trained) participated in four sessions. Visit 1 included baseline measurements and familiarization. Visits 2-4 included the completion of one of the three experimental conditions: (a) control, (b) same side and (c) crossover completed in a randomized order. The control condition completed all testing except for the conditioning contraction. The same side condition completed the conditioning contraction on the same side as the strength test. The crossover condition completed the conditioning on the arm opposite to the strength test. The variable of interest was the change from baseline in isokinetic strength. Our analysis indicated that of the hypotheses compared, the posterior probabilities (posterior probability of 0.506) favoured the hypothesis that the effect was local and greatest in those who were resistance trained [mean (SD) of 1.4 (2.2) Nm over the control in those resistance trained]. We found no relationship between muscle size and postactivation performance enhancement. In conclusion, there is an influence of training status pertaining to the postactivation performance enhancement effect but no influence from baseline muscle size. It appears unlikely that the effect is due to a systemic mechanism.

Exercise induced changes in echo intensity within the muscle: a brief review.

Echo intensity is the mean pixel intensity of a specific region of interest from an ultrasound image. This variable has been increasingly used in the literature as a physiological marker. Although there has been an increased interest in reporting changes in echo intensity in response to exercise, little consensus exists as to what a change in echo intensity represents physiologically. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the earliest, as well as the most up to date literature regarding the changes in echo intensity in response to exercise. Echo intensity has been used to measure muscle quality, muscle damage, acute swelling, and intramuscular glycogen. The changes in echo intensity, however, are not consistent throughout the literature and often times lead to conclusions that seem contrary to the physiologic effects of exercise. For example, echo intensity increases in conjunction with increases in strength, contrary to what would be expected if echo intensity was a marker of muscle quality/muscle damage. It is conceivable that a change in echo intensity represents a range of physiologic effects at different time points. We recommend that these effects should be determined experimentally in order to rule out what echo intensity might and might not represent. Until this is done, caution should be employed when interpreting changes in echo intensity with acute and chronic exercise.

The position of the cuff bladder has a large impact on the pressure needed for blood flow restriction.

OBJECTIVE: A recent study suggested that measuring the blood flow restriction pressure every training session may not be needed given the relative stability of this measurement over an eight week period of time. However, within clinical and research settings, various personnel may apply the cuff differently resulting in the cuff bladder being in dissimilar positions. Understanding the effect (if any) of bladder position may help with the standardization of blood flow restriction and ensure the proper stimulus is applied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure and compare arterial occlusion pressures in the lower body between medial and lateral bladder positions. APPROACH: Thirty-two participants volunteered to have their arterial occlusion pressure measured thrice in their right leg. The 12 cm cuff was applied twice with the bladder covering the inner portion of their thigh (to establish agreement with itself) and once with the bladder covering the lateral portion. Effects are reported as median (95% credible interval). MAIN RESULTS: There was evidence the outside bladder position required greater pressure to occlude blood flow than the inside position (median difference of 13.56 (7.29, 19.84) mmHg). The agreement between inside and outside bladder positions had a mean difference of 14.3 (lower limit of agreement -19.7, upper limit of agreement 48.3) mmHg. The agreement was worse with individuals with larger thigh circumferences (r = 0.558 (0.24, 0.74)). SIGNIFICANCE: Cuff bladder position should be standardized to account for pressure differences. Standardizing bladder position may reduce the need to measure arterial occlusion pressure every time blood flow restriction is used.

Muscle swelling following blood flow-restricted exercise does not differ between cuff widths in the proximal or distal portions of the upper leg.

The purpose was to understand how wider cuffs, covering larger portions of the limb, may affect acute muscle swelling when used during low-load knee extension exercise with blood flow restriction. A total of 96 individuals (53 females and 43 males) completed two visits, with visit one used for measuring maximal strength and arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and visit two to compare between a narrow (5 cm) and a wide (12 cm) cuff for acute changes in muscle thickness and echo intensity following exercise. Ultrasound measurements were completed at a proximal and distal site within both legs, with the proximal site located beneath the cuff within the leg exercising using the wide cuff. Study findings indicate that the difference in acute changes for muscle thickness [median difference (95% credible interval) of 0.009 (-0.03, 0.05) cm] and echo intensity [median difference (95% credible interval) of 0.79 (-0.28, 1.89) AU] between cuff widths did not differ between proximal and distal sites. Additionally, acute changes in muscle thickness did not differ between cuff widths, sexes or participants who had AOP measured and those who were estimated. Lastly, acute changes in echo intensity did not differ between cuff widths and those who had AOP measured and those who were estimated. However, there was evidence showing how there might be greater reductions in echo intensity for females at the distal site. The previously observed attenuation of muscle growth under the cuff is unlikely to be related to differences in the acute muscle swelling response.

Physical Activity and Sociodemographic Profile of Brazilian People during COVID-19 Outbreak: An Online and Cross-Sectional Survey.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created an unprecedented impact on global health and further aggravated the physical inactivity pandemic. For this reason, the understanding of sociodemographic variables in the context of physical activity levels are important for the field of public health in order to assist in relevant public health decisions. Our main aim was to characterize sociodemographic variables and physical activity levels and their association with COVID-19 aspects. We applied an online Google survey with closed questions in Brazilian people of different age and regions, both sexes and physical activity levels (n = 1.726). Our main results were that participants who had symptoms of COVID-19 had the highest percentage of level 1 of physical activity (the lowest level according to the classification used) and those who showed no symptoms had the highest percentage of levels 2 and 3 of physical activity; that is, close to the light/moderate levels of physical activity. This cross-sectional study in the Brazilian population provided important sociodemographic data and COVID-19 aspects regarding the level of physical activity. It is possible to assume that the regular practice of physical activity could positively impact health status and quality of life and be a tool in the field of public health to cope (from a physical and mental point of view) with disease scenarios that require quarantine.