Comparison of Three Methods of Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Functional Factors and Cardio Respiratory Preparedness in Military Soldiers

Promoting factors associated with physical fitness and improving performance through new methods of training for soldiers is also important. The purpose of this study was to compare the three methods of resistance exercise (RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) on functional factors in Iranian army soldiers. Eighteen Iranian soldiers with a mean age of 22.4±2.2 years, body mass index of 22.3±1.1 and a history of military services of 10.4±3.3 months were included. A total of 18 soldiers were randomly categorized in to three groups of resistance exercise with variable blood flow (R + BFRV, n=6), resistance exercise with variable intensities and constant blood flow restriction (R V + BFR, n=6) and resistance exercise with variable intensities and blood flow restriction (C, n=6). A total of 18 soldiers performed resistance training with BFR at the same training volume three days a week for four weeks. Significant variations were only observed in the upper endurance muscle variables (P=0.01) while there was no significant difference between other factors (P>0.05). The highest variations in cardiovascular endurance variables, upper and lower trunk muscular endurance and the mean anaerobic power occurred in the R+ BFRV group (P≤0.05), and the highest variations in upper and lower trunk muscular endurance occurred in R V + BFR group (P≤0.05). Group C showed the highest improvement in agility, and the same variations were observed in the balance in the three groups (P≤0.05). According to the results of this study, the resistance exercise with constant intensities was suitable for the increase in cardiovascular and muscular endurance and mean anaerobic power, the resistance exercise with variable intensities and constant blood flow restriction (R+ BFRV) was suitable for the increase in strength and balance, and the combined method was recommended for the increase in agility.