Comparison and association of acute physiological and posturographic effects in four exercises on stable and unstable surfaces with or without partial blood flow restriction

Abstract

Purpose. Prior research has shown that running squats on unstable surfaces may be useful in increasing antagonist muscle and body centre activity; nonetheless, the evidence for improved muscle strength-power is contradictory. In parallel, low-intensity strength training with partial blood flow restriction is effective in developing strength, hypertrophy, and muscular endurance. Combining both modalities could complement the benefits of exercising on unstable surface. Our objective was to compare the acute effects of 4 exercise types with or without partial blood flow restriction under stable and unstable conditions. Methods. Seven volunteers performed 4 protocols: exercises with high-intensity overload and stable conditions, low-intensity overload with blood flow restriction and stable conditions, unstable conditions without blood flow restriction, and unstable conditions with blood flow restriction. At the beginning, end, and recovery of each protocol, physiological variables were measured: heart rate, subjective perception of effort, blood lactate, and posturographic variables (total distance with eyes open and closed). Results. Exercises with stable surfaces generated greater physiological stress than both exercises on unstable surfaces. Furthermore, incorporating blood flow restriction into unstable exercise allowed an increase in the physiological demand without altering postural balance. There were only significant changes in postural balance in the high-intensity protocol with stable conditions. Conclusions. Exercises combining partial blood flow restriction on stable and unstable surfaces increase the physiological demands without altering postural balance compared with high-intensity exercise on a stable surface.