Observing the impact of meal consumption on limb occlusion pressure in Indian female collegiates

Abstract Blood flow resistance training (BFRT), characterised by low load, short duration, and high-efficiency exercises, has gained popularity among coaches, athletes, and health enthusiasts. Proper application of a compressible cuff, determined by limb occlusion pressure (LOP), is essential for effective BFRT. LOP is influenced by several factors, including limb size, length, temperature, blood pressure, and location. The objective of the study was to observe the variance in LOP, before and after meal consumption, in Indian female collegiate and to find the correlation between LOP and other variables. 93 female collegiate athletes participated in this study. LOP of the lower limb was measured pre- and post-meal using a hand-held Doppler, cuff inflator, and occlusion cuff. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 21. The mean LOP before meals was 66.99 mmHg (95% CI: 57.38-84.98 mmHg) with a median of 260.00 mmHg (interquartile range: 230.00-300.00 mmHg). Post-meal, the mean LOP increased to 69.98 mmHg (95% CI: 58.91-77.74 mmHg), with a median of 230.00 mmHg (interquartile range: 180.00-260.00 mmHg). A significant decrease in LOP after a meal was observed (Z-score: −7.67, ). Higher weight correlated positively with pre-meal LOP (rho = 0.261, ), and BMI also showed a positive correlation with pre-meal LOP (rho = 0.340, ). In conclusion, meal consumption significantly reduces LOP in Indian female collegiates. Additionally, weight and BMI positively correlate with pre-meal LOP, highlighting the need to consider body composition in LOP studies.