Semester of Graduation
Fall 2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master's in Exercise Science and Sports Management
Department
Exercise Science and Sports Management
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Garrett Hester
Second Advisor
Daphney Carter
Third Advisor
Mitchell Zaplatosch
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in aerobic exercise combined with blood flow restriction. Although non-local muscle fatigue (NLMF), the reduction in performance of an unexercised limb following fatiguing exercise of different musculature, is a well-established phenomenon information regarding the effects of BFR on NLMF is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of BFR during acute aerobic exercise on NLMF. METHODS: Twenty young adults (18–35 yrs; 11 females) completed a familiarization visit with maximal oxygen uptake testing, followed by two experimental visits. Each experimental visit involved treadmill exercise at 50% VO₂max and were identical except that BFR cuffs were applied to the upper legs during one visit until volitional fatigue or 15 min. Before and after each condition, participants performed rapid maximal isometric contractions of the elbow flexors while electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the biceps brachii. Peak force (PF), force at 50–200 ms, rate of force development, and rate of EMG rise were analyzed. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs and partial eta-squared effect sizes (ES) were used. RESULTS: Exercising VO₂ and HR were higher during BFR despite a shorter exercise duration (p=0.001, ES=1.81–1.83). No condition × time interactions were observed for single MVIC outcomes (p≥0.145); however, a main effect of time showed significant reductions in PF and all rapid force measures (p≤0.042, ES=0.30–0.49), while rate of EMG rise remained unchanged. During repeated MVICs, peak force fatigability was greater following BFR (p=0.004, ES=0.73), whereas all rapid force and EMG indices responded similarly between conditions. CONCLUSION: Moderate-intensity treadmill exercise induced NLMF of the elbow flexors regardless of condition, with rapid force outcomes showing greater sensitivity to fatigue than peak force. While BFR increased cardiovascular and perceptual strain, it only augmented NLMF during repeated peak force, suggesting practical BFR preferentially exacerbates endurance-based strength fatigability.