Nerve conduction during acute blood-flow restriction with and without low-intensity exercise Nerve conduction and blood-flow restriction

Despite being apparently safe for most individuals, the impact of low intensity (LI) blood-flow restricted (BFR) exercise on nerve function and integrity is still obscure. We explored whether BFR (with and without exercise) alters the properties of nerve conduction measured at the level of the restricted limb. Thirteen healthy, young men (22.0 +/- 1.7 years) were included in this study. Arterial occlusion pressure was taken at rest. Soleus M- and H-recruitment curves were constructed for all participants. H-wave latencies and amplitudes were obtained in three testing conditions (non-BFR vs. 60 vs. 80% BFR) at four different time points: [1] non-restricted baseline, [2] time control either with or without BFR, [3] non-restricted pre-exercise, [4] LI exercise either with or without BFR. Nerve conduction was estimated using the difference between the latency of H and M wave. BFR did not affect H-wave amplitude, either with or without exercise. The changes in the difference between H- and M-wave latency of over time were similar between all conditions (condition-by-time interaction: F=0.7, p=0.47). In conclusion, our data indicate that performing LI exercise with BFR, set at 60 or 80% BFR, does not exert a negative impact on sciatic-tibial nerve function. Thus, from a neurological standpoint, we provide preliminary evidence that LI BFR exercise may be regarded as a safe mode of resistance training in healthy young men.