More BFR Lovin': Can the Cortisol + GH Response to Blood Flow Restriction Explain the Strength Gains We're Seeing?
"Cuffed up and ready to grow"? Yes, but STRONGER, but not necessarily bigger - that's at least what the latest research seems to suggest. Research that's bringing us back to the influence of exercise induced changes in growth hormone, cortisol and co, we all love so much ;-) If you've read my article "Strength ⇧ | Size ⇩ - That's the Result of 7 Weeks With Three Additional Sets of Blood Flow Restricted High Rep + Low Intensity Squats & Bench Presses in Well-Trained Athletes" ( read more ), you will be aware that the previously reported strength increases in response to the addition of 3 sets of blood flow restricted high rep, low intensity work are dearly bought. The price you'll have to pay for theses strength increases is a reduced increase in muscle size that's particularly pronounced for the pectoralis major (the large chest muscle), where doing those three extra-sets leads - irrespective of whether you're "all cuffed ...