Title: A preliminary report: examining the effects of varying pressure levels of blood flow restriction cuffs during acute exercise on four collegiate-level athletes

Authors: Janaya Battles Steenhoek; Dan Swier; Rajat Emanuel Singh

Addresses: Department of Kinesiology, Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, 51041, USA ' Department of Kinesiology, Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, 51041, USA ' Department of Kinesiology, Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, 51041, USA

Abstract: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a rehabilitation technique used in physical therapy to improve muscle growth. This technique involves using BFR cuffs on the limbs to occlude blood flow, limiting the buildup of muscle growth inhibitors. While current research addresses growth inhibitor-related changes, it is limited regarding BFR cuff pressure's impact on neuro-muscular coordination at constant exercise loads. This preliminary report examined how varying BFR cuff pressure influences muscle activation and heart rate. We recruited four collegiate athletes and recorded heart rate and surface electromyography data from the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis during bodyweight squats. Pressure levels ranged from 0 to 350 mmHg. Results showed a positive relationship between heart rate and pressure. However, we found no correlation between pressure and independent muscle activation, nor a consistent correlation between pressure and muscle activation symmetry between legs during bodyweight squats.

Keywords: blood flow restriction cuffs; high pressure levels; muscle activation; heart rate.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2026.156075

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2026 Vol.51 No.2, pp.127 - 146

Received: 29 Jan 2025
Accepted: 24 Apr 2025
Published online: 02 Sep 2026 *

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