Investigating the Role of Blood Flow and Muscle Contractions in Post-Glucose Glycemic Control and Vascular Function

Abstract

Post-prandial glycemic and vascular function impairments are ameliorated by acute exercise. Blood flow restriction (BFR) and electric muscle stimulation (EMS) offer similar characteristics, inducing hyperemia and preferential glucose oxidation. In 13 active participants (27±3yr, 7 female) we measured post-glucose (oral 100g) glycemic, cardiometabolic and vascular function measures over 120min following four interventions: BFR, EMS, BFR+EMS or Control. Glycemic and insulinemic responses were not different between interventions (both P>0.15). However, BFR+EMS produced 'interval-like' effects on oxygen consumption, carbohydrate oxidation and muscle oxygenation relative to all interventions (all P<0.01). Cacrovascular function was significantly reduced 60min post-glucose and recovered at 120min (P<0.001). Microvascular measures lacked meaningful differences. Leg blood flow and vascular conductance increased with BFR only 60min post-intervention (P=0.02). BFR+EMS did not preferentially improve post-glucose metabolic or vascular function, despite causing intended 'interval-like' effects on markers of glycemic and vascular regulation. Future study should investigate BFR+EMS in clinically sensitive populations.