The Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Blood Flow Restriction in the Absence of Exercise

The purpose was to investigate the acute effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) on arterial and venous hemodynamic parameters. Nine participants completed a 10-min time control (resting condition) and then a lower body BFR protocol. The protocol was five, 5-min bouts of restrictive cuff inflation with 3-min of deflation between each bout. The pressure was set relative to each individual's thigh circumference. There were no significant differences between resting and BFR conditions for blood pressure or wave reflection. There was, however, a significant decrease in venous compliance and maximal venous outflow following BFR. Acute BFR with pressures relative to thigh circumference does not result in acute changes in blood pressure or wave reflection. There is, however, an acute decrease in venous compliance and maximal venous outflow, the significance of which is currently unknown. These results suggest that an acute BFR protocol affects venous but not arterial hemodynamics.