AbstractA combination of yoga and blood flow restriction, each of which elicits marked
pressor responses, may further increase blood pressure and myocardial oxygen
demand. To determine the impact of a combination of yoga and blood flow
restriction on hemodynamic responses, twenty young healthy participants
performed 20 yoga poses with/without blood flow restriction bands placed
on both legs. At baseline, there were no significant differences in any of the
variables between the blood flow restriction and non-blood flow restriction
conditions. Blood pressure and heart rate increased in response to the various
yoga poses (p<0.01) but were not different between the blood flow
restriction and non-blood flow restriction conditions. Rate-pressure products,
an index of myocardial oxygen demand, increased significantly during yoga
exercises with no significant differences between the two conditions. Rating of
perceived exertion was not different between the conditions. Blood lactate
concentration was significantly greater after performing yoga with blood flow
restriction bands (p=0.007). Cardio-ankle vascular index, an index of
arterial stiffness, decreased similarly after yoga exercise in both conditions
while flow-mediated dilation remained unchanged. In conclusion, the use of lower
body blood flow restriction bands in combination with yoga did not result in
additive or synergistic hemodynamic and pressor responses.
Effects of exercise training with blood flow restriction on blood pressure in medicated hypertensive patients
