Physiological and rating of perceived exertion responses to resistance training sessions with and without vascular occlusion

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) response, and peak blood lactate concentration ([lac]-peak) after a resistance exercise session with and without vascular occlusion. METHODS: Eight male subjects with previous experience in resistance training (23.38 ± 2.38 years; weight 76.75 ± 8.79 kg; height 1.75 ± 0.07 m) took part in this study. After performing a one repetition maximum(1RM) test, the subjects underwent three random sessions in the leg press exercise: (a) 4 sets of 8 repetitions + 1 set until exhaustion at 80% of 1RM without vascular occlusion (HI); (b) 4 sets of 16 repetitions + 1 set until exhaustion at 40% of 1RM with occlusion (LIO) and (c) 4 sets of 16 repetitions + 1 set with the same number of repetitions as LIO at 40% of 1RM without vascular occlusion (LI), in both legs alternately. RESULTS: It was observed that both HR and RPE were lower during almost all sessions when compared with HI (p CONCLUSION: Resistance training associated with vascular occlusion causes lower physiological and perceived stress in comparison with conventional high intensity strength training.