PREDICTIVE EQUATION FOR BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING

Introduction: No research has investigated predictive equations for application in blood flow restriction (BFR) training using a cuff with a circumference of 18 cm for the lower limbs, and including age and sex as predictor variables. Objectives: To develop an equation to predict cuff pressure levels for use in BFR training for the lower limbs. Methods: A total of 51 adults (age 23.23 +/- 5.24 years) of both sexes (males, n=32; females, n=19) underwent a series of tests and anthropometric (body mass, height, body mass index - BMI, and thigh circumference - TC) and hemodynamic (brachial systolic - SBP - and diastolic - DBP - blood pressure) measurements. The arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) of the lower limbs was measured using a Doppler probe. Results: The predictive equation was developed based on a hierarchical linear regression model consisting of six blocks, corresponding to TC (beta = 0.380; p = 0.005), SBP (beta = 0.091; p = 0.482), age (beta = 0.320; p = 0.015), and sex (beta = -0.207; p = 0.105), which explained 39.7% of the variation in arterial occlusion pressure. DBP and BMI were not associated with AOP. As a result, the predictive equation is as follows: AOP (mmHg) = 65.290 + 1.110 ( TC in cm) + 0.178 (SBP in mmHg) + 1.153 (age in years) - 7.984 (sex, 1 - male and 2 - female), reporting values of r = 0.630, r(2) = 0.397 and SEE = 15,289. Conclusion: Cuff pressure for BFR training of the lower limbs may be selected based on TC, SBP, age and sex, and thigh circumference is considered the main predictor.