Effects of detraining after blood flow-restricted low-intensity concentric or eccentric training on muscle size and strength

Abstract

We investigated the effects of 6 weeks of detraining on muscle size and strength in young men who had previously participated in 6 weeks (3 days/week) of 30 % of concentric one-repetition maximal (1-RM) dumbbell curl training [one arm: concentric blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise (CON-BFR); the other arm: eccentric BFR exercise (ECC-BFR)]. MRI-measured muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) at 10 cm above the elbow joint increased from pre to post (p < 0.01), and the muscle CSA following detraining remained greater than pre (p < 0.01) but was similar to that observed at post. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) increased from pre to post (p < 0.05), and the MVC following detraining remained greater than pre (p < 0.05) but was similar to that observed at post. The ECC-BFR did not produce any changes across time. Increased muscle strength following 6 weeks of CON-BFR was well preserved at 6 weeks of detraining, which may be primarily related to muscle hypertrophy.