Comparison of Acute Hormonal Responses to High and Low-Intensity Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction in Young Wrestlers

Abstract

Background: The traditional resistance training is the most effective wayknown to increase muscle mass. However, high-intensity resistance trainingmaybedifficult forsomeindividualsandspecific groups. In addition, mostpeople are notencouraged to engage in high-intensity resistance training. Therefore, an alternative intervention is needed to solve this problem. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the acute hormonal responses to high and low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction in young wrestlers. Methods: Thirty young wrestlers (age: 16.51±2.1 years, weight: 53.23±7.13 kg, height: 165.14±8.42 cm, bodymass index (BMI): 18.64 ± 1.35 kg/m2) participated in a quasi-experimental research. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups of resistance training: Low-intensity (LI), high-intensity(HI),andlow-intensitywithbloodflowrestriction (LI-BFR).Thetrainingprotocolincluded three exercises: Leg extension, arm curl, and bench press. Blood samples were collected before and 30 minutes after the training sessions. Results: The results showed that the creatine kinase level in the HI group, as well as the cortisol level in the HI and LI-BFRgroups, in- creased significantly after resistance training (P < 0.05). In addition, testosterone/cortisol ratio decreased significantly in all groups (P < 0.05). However, testosterone levels did not change significantly in any groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that blood flow restriction training with the same an- abolic effects, lowermuscledamageindex, less fatigue, andlower intensity is a better choice for trainingcomparedto high-intensity resistance training. Keywords: