The effect of low-intensity resistance training with practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on thickness, strength and electrical activity of biceps brachii muscle in healthy men

The present study explores the synergistic impact of tDCS and low-intensity exercise with practical blood flow restriction on the thickness, strength, and electrical activity of the biceps brachii muscle.

The study involved 44 healthy young men, divided into four groups: tDCS-pBFR (n = 11), Sham-pBFR (sham-tDCS) (n = 9), tDCS (n = 10), and control (n = 8). Six participants were unable to complete the exercises. Anodal tDCS was applied over the M1 with an intensity of 1.5 (mA). The participants executed dumbbell curls for the biceps at 80% of their 1RM. Following initial assessments, a covariance analysis was performed. The researchers measured biceps muscle strength, volume, and electromyography activity.

The results found that the increase in arm muscle circumference was significant in the groups that performed pBFR exercises (p < 0.05), regardless of whether tDCS was applied or not. We observed no significant difference in strength and electromyography between the tDCS-pBFR and Sham-pBFR groups.

The present study provides experimental evidence of the lack of synergistic effects of using tDCS in combination with low-intensity exercises with practical blood flow restriction after 4 weeks of training.