Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training Versus Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Muscle Atrophy Signaling Pathway in Elite Male Athletes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

The cellular mechanisms preventing muscle atrophy after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) regeneration are not well understood. Porpuse of this study was to investigate the effects of blood flow restriction (BRF) and electrical stimulation (EMS) on serum levels of silent information regulator T۱ (SIRT۱), muscle ring finger ۱ (MURF۱) and atrogin-۱ in elite male athletes after ACL reconstruction surgery.Thirty elite male athletes after anterior cruciate ligament surgery were selected and randomly divided into three groups of ۱) BRF, ۲) EMS and ۳) control groups (۱۰ subjects in each group). The subjects in BRF group performed resistance training with cuff pressure on the proximal part of the thigh with ۱۲۰-۱۸۰ mmHg for ۱۲ weeks. However, The subjects in EMS group performed ۱۲ weeks of resistance training along with electrical stimulation at frequency of ۳۵-۷۰ Hz. The subjects in control group participated in ۱۲ weeks of resistance training [۲ ۴ sets, at intensity of ۳۰ ۷۰ percent of ۱۰ repetition maximum (RM)] without no intrvention else. Blood factors were assessed before and ۴۸ hours following last training session. Statistical analysis was done by analysis of Covariance and paired t-test at significant level of P<۰.۰۵.There were significant differences between training groups of BFR and EMS and control groups in SIRT۱ (P=۰.۰۰) and atrogin-۱ (P=۰.۰۳۲, P=۰.۰۳, respectively) concentrations. Moreover, twelve weeks of BRF and EMS resulted to significant increases in serum levels of SIRT۱ (P=۰.۰۰) and significant decreases in atrogin-۱ (P=۰.۰۱۳, P=۰.۰۱, respectively) and MURF۱ (P=۰.۰۳۵, P=۰.۰۰۸, respectively) levels compared to pre-test.Overall, it seems that both of EMS and BRF are more effective protocols compared to traditional resistance training to improve muscle atrophy following disuse and injury in elite athletes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Blood flow restriction ، Electrical Muscle Stimulation ، MURF۱ ، Atrogin-۱ ، Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury