Examination of neuromuscular and tissue oxygenation characteristics during submaximal treadmill running with blood flow restriction

Sean M Lubiak; Christopher E Proppe; Paola M Rivera; Mason A Howard; Anuj J Prajapati; Niriham M Shah; Nihar N Patel; Jeffrey T Schmidt; Roksana B Zak; Ethan C Hill

doi:10.1007/s00421-025-05886-z

Examination of neuromuscular and tissue oxygenation characteristics during submaximal treadmill running with blood flow restriction

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2025 Jul 9. doi: 10.1007/s00421-025-05886-z. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ School of Kinesiology & Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida, 12494 University Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
² Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Human Performance Studies, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260, USA.
³ School of Sport Science, Cummings School of Nursing & Health Sciences, Endicott College, Beverly, MA, 01915, USA.
⁴ AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab, 265 E Rollins St. Suite 9100, Orlando, FL, 32804, USA.
⁵ School of Kinesiology & Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida, 12494 University Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA. ethan.hill@ucf.edu.
⁶ College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA. ethan.hill@ucf.edu.

PMID: 40632221
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-025-05886-z

Abstract

Purpose: The use of blood flow restricted (BFR) running may provide an alternative to lower the running speed without compromising physiological responses that often occur during high intensity running. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the acute effects of various submaximal treadmill running speeds with BFR relative to maximal treadmill running speed without BFR on surface electromyographic amplitude (sEMG_AMP), surface electromyographic mean power frequency (sEMG_MPF), and muscle tissue oxygenation (StO₂) responses.

Methods: Thirteen college-aged females randomly completed four, three-minute treadmill running bouts at 70%, 80%, and 90% of their top speed (achieved during a graded exercise test) with BFR (70%_BFR, 80%_BFR, and 90%_BFR) and 100% of their top speed without BFR (100%_NOBFR). The sEMG_AMP, sEMG_MPF, and StO₂ responses were analyzed from the final minute of the treadmill running bouts.

Results: Each treadmill running bout led to similar (zero present in each Bayesian 95% high-density interval) sEMG_AMP, sEMG_MPF, and StO₂ responses (70%_BFR = 80%_BFR = 90%_BFR = 100%_NOBFR). The mean difference (Mean_diff) between speeds ranged from 2.73% to 11.20% for sEMG_AMP, 0.04% to 7.08% for sEMG_MPF, and 0.02% to 1.03% for StO₂.

Conclusion: Despite reductions in treadmill running speed, sEMG_AMP, sEMG_MPF, and StO₂ responses were similar among non-BFR maximal treadmill running and submaximal treadmill running with BFR. Thus, submaximal treadmill running with BFR may serve as a potential alternative when maximal intensity aerobic exercise is contraindicated.

Keywords: Blood flow restriction; Electromyography; Female; Near-infrared spectroscopy.