This investigation aims at probing the long-term influence of different levels upper limbs BFR training with low intensity resistance training on cardiac function.

Twenty-four participants (men 20.63±0.88 yr) were randomly assigned to three groups: resistance exercise without occlusion cuff (CON), resistance exercise with occlusion cuff pressure set at 65% resting systolic blood pressure (BFR-L) and resistance exercise with occlusion cuff pressure set at 130% resting systolic blood pressure (BFR-H). Each subject underwent five bouts of 1-minute 30%1RM flexor elbow resistance exercise with 2-min interval, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Cardiovascular responses were elevated before, immediately after, and for 8 weeks rest and post-exercise.

(1) After the 8-week training, compared with that at rest before the 8-week training, Group CON and group BFR-L's systolic pressure (SV) decreased significantly (P<0.05), while aortic compliance of CON group increased obviously (P<0.05). (2) Compared with those before 8 weeks, systolic pressure (SV) in Group CON and Group BFR-L decreased dramatically in (P<0.05), while aortic compliance of the group CON and group BFR-L increased obviously (P<0.05), FS and EF in the group BFR-H ascended prominently (P<0.05).

(1) Both CON and BFR-L could help increase the aortic compliance, decrease the systolic pressure (SV) at rest and make diastolic pressure decrease immediately after the exercise, which demonstrates both kinds of exercises have positive influence on blood pressure. (2) CON can help left atrial diameter decrease, implying such exercise could improve the left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF), bring protection to cardiac function at some degree and also have positive significance on prevention hypertension. (3) BFR-H increase the ejection fraction, fractional shortening and stroke volume, which shows its positive influence on myocardial systolic and cardiac pump function.