The effects of leg resistance training with blood-flow restriction on unrestricted exercising arms: A validation study

INTERVENTION: The intervention is a seven‐week training program where participants train at the lab three days per week (twenty sessions; 45 minute duration each). Exercises performed are three sets of bicep curls (50% 1 RM) performed by the dominant arm followed by four sets of bilateral knee flexion and leg extension exercises (30% 1 RM). The leg exercises are performed with pressurised cuffs applied to the most proximal portion of the upper legs to restrict blood‐flow to the working muscles. These cuffs are inflated to a pressure equal to 60% of the pressure required to completely occlude blood‐flow through the legs. Participants are supervised/monitored throughout all training sessions by an exercise physiologist to ensure safety and adherence to the protocol. Attendance is registered for all training sessions. CONDITION: Older adult physical/functional performance PRIMARY OUTCOME: Muscle cross‐sectional area of the exercised arm ‐ assessed via peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scan at 50% Humerus length Muscle strength of the exercised arm ‐ assessed via 1‐RM method for unilateral bicep curl exercise. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Leg muscle strength ‐ assessed via 1‐RM method for bilateral leg extension and leg flexion exercises. Muscle cross‐sectional area of the dominant leg ‐ assessed via pQCT scan at 25% Femur length. Muscle cross‐sectional area of the inactive arm ‐ assessed via peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scan at 50% Humerus length Muscle strength of the inactive arm ‐ assessed via 1‐RM method for unilateral bicep curl exercise. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Young healthy males (18‐25 years)