Blood flow restriction accelerates aerobic training-induced adaptation of VO2 kinetics at the onset of moderate-intensity exercise

It is unclear whether blood flow restriction (BFR) accelerates the adaptation of the time constant (τ) of phase II oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics in the moderate-intensity exercise domain via moderate-intensity aerobic training. Therefore, healthy participants underwent moderate-intensity [45–60% VO2 Reserve] aerobic cycle training with or without BFR (BFR group, n = 9; CON group, n = 9) for 8 weeks to evaluate VO2 kinetics during moderate-intensity cycle exercise before (Pre) and after 4 (Mid) and 8 (Post) weeks of training. Both groups trained for 30 min, 3 days weekly. BFR was performed for 5 min every 10 min by applying cuffs to the upper thighs. The τ significantly decreased by Mid in the BFR group (23.7 ± 2.9 s [Pre], 15.3 ± 1.8 s [Mid], 15.5 ± 1.4 s [Post], P < 0.01) and by Post in the CON group (27.5 ± 2.0 s [Pre], 22.1 ± 0.7 s [Mid], 18.5 ± 1.9 s [Post], P < 0.01). Notably, the BFR group’s τ was significantly lower than that of the CON group at Mid (P < 0.01) but not at Post. In conclusion, BFR accelerates the adaptation of VO2 kinetics at the onset of exercise by moderate-intensity aerobic training.