The Response of Plasma Endothelin and Nitric Oxide to a Session of Aerobic Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction in Active Girls

Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in regulating vascular activity by producing vascular active substances such as endothelin-1 and nitric oxide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of plasma endothelin and nitric oxide to a session of aerobic exercise with restricted blood flow in active girls. A quasi-experimental trial study was conducted as pretest and posttest. The statistical population consisted of healthy and active young women in Islamshahr, aged between 20 and 25. The sample consisted of 16 healthy and active girls who were divided into two groups of aerobic exercise with and without blood flow restriction. The blood flow restriction group with a cuff and 100 mmHg pressure and the other group with no cuffs performed the activity with the speed of 5-7 km / h on a treadmill with 60% maximal heart rate. Blood samples were collected 15 minutes and 2 hours after the activity ended. Independent t test results showed that plasma endothelin-1 concentration significantly increased in no blood flow restriction group; this increase was significantly different from the blood flow restriction group (P=0.0001). The results of independent t test showed that nitric oxide concentration was significantly higher in blood flow restriction group than the other group (P=0.0001). Aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction improves vascular endothelial function by increasing the nitric oxide secretion and possibly decreasing the function of endothelial-1 receptors.