Low-intensity resistance training with slow movement and tonic force generation increases basal limb blood flow

Metabolic syndrome is associated with reductions in basal limb blood flow. Resistance training increasing muscle mass and strength increases basal limb blood flow. Low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) has been proposed as one of the effective methods of resistance training increasing muscle mass and strength. The hypothesis that LST training increases basal femoral blood flow as well as traditional high-intensity resistance training at normal speed (HN) was examined. Thirty-six healthy young men without a history of regular resistance training were randomly assigned to the LST [similar to 55-60% one repetition maximum (1RM) load, 3 s lifting and 3 s lowering with no relaxation phase, n = 12], HN (similar to 85-90% 1RM, 1 s lifting and 1 s lowering with 1 s relaxation, n = 12) or sedentary control (CON, n = 12) groups. Participants in the training groups underwent two whole-body training sessions per week for 13 weeks. Basal femoral blood flow increased significantly by +18% in LST and +35% in HN (both P < 0.05), while there was no such change in CON. There were no significant differences between these increases induced by LST and HN, although the increase in LST corresponded to about half that in HN. In conclusion, not only resistance training in HN but in LST as well, were effective for increasing basal limb blood flow, and that this effect was evident even in healthy young men.