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PURPOSE: To determine changes in blood pressure and blood flow following exercise with and without different levels of BFR (based on arterial occlusion pressure (AOP)) while using a very low load (15% 1RM) and compare those changes with high load (70% 1RM) exercise.

METHODS: Sixty-nine participants were randomized into one of four conditions: 1) 15% 1RM, no BFR (15/0), 2) 15% 1RM, 40% AOP (15/40), 3) 15% 1RM, 80% AOP (15/80), and 4) 70% 1RM, no BFR (70/0). Following 1RM testing in one leg (randomized) and 10 min of seated rest, resting blood flow of the exercising limb was measured at the posterior tibial artery followed by blood pressure. AOP was determined using a 10cm wide cuff in the BFR conditions. Participants then exercised for 4 sets to failure (up to 90 repetitions) with 30 (15% 1RM) or 90 (70% 1RM) seconds of rest. Blood flow and blood pressure [Systolic (SBP), Diastolic (DBP …