Abstract Howard, MA, Rivera, PM, Lubiak, SM, Proppe, CE, Schmidt, JT, Rolnick, N, Shobe, ED, Fraifer, TL, and Hill, EC. Uniform neuromuscular responses across varied blood flow restriction training strategies. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2025—The purpose of this investigation was to assess neuromuscular responses during acute bouts of resistance exercise with low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) performed with a 75-repetition protocol (75-rep; 1 × 30, 3 × 15), 3 sets to failure (3×), and 1 set to failure (1×). Seventeen recreationally active females randomly completed 75-rep, 3×, and 1× protocols consisting of unilateral, submaximal (30% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction), isokinetic (90°·s −1 ), leg extension muscle actions. A greater number of repetitions were performed during set 1 of the 1× protocol (59.5 ± 35.1) compared with the 75-rep protocol (30.0 ± 0.0), and more total repetitions were performed in the 3× protocol (85.2 ± 42.2) compared with the 1× protocol (59.5 ± 35.1). Surface electromyographic (sEMG) amplitude (AMP) progressively increased and then plateaued after 2 sets for the 75-rep protocol (118.3 ± 31.4% to 185.9 ± 85.3%; p = 0.043) and after 1 set of the 3× protocol (119.6 ± 8.6% to 206.3 ± 84.1%; p = 0.003). In addition, sEMG mean power frequency (MPF) decreased and then plateaued after 3 sets of the 75-rep protocol (99.8 ± 3.5% to 88.8 ± 11.7%; p = 0.012) and after 1 set of the 3× protocol (101.0 ± 8.2% to 84.4 ± 18.9%; p < 0.001). The changes in sEMG AMP and sEMG MPF across multiple sets (i.e., 75-rep and 3×) never exceeded the changes observed after the 1× protocol. Despite variations in set and repetition schemes, performing just 1 set of LLBFR to failure was sufficient to maximize acute neuromuscular responses. This highlights the efficiency of a single-set LLBFR protocol as a time-effective option for athletes and practitioners.
Howard et al. (2026) studied this question.