Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Imam Javad University, Yazd, Iran.
2
Exercise Physiology Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
10.22080/jaep.2026.31848.2257
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance exercise performed under blood flow restriction (BFR), training mask, and military gas mask conditions on cardiovascular acute responses and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in young male military personnel. Given the importance of physical readiness and the physiological demands of military operations, understanding cardiovascular and perceptual responses to resistance exercise under these conditions may provide valuable insights for optimizing military physical training programs.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a randomized crossover design involving 12 physically trained male military personnel (age: 27.75 ± 6.45 years; body mass index: 25.41 ± 3.43 kg/m²). Each participant completed four resistance exercise conditions in a randomized order: conventional resistance exercise (control), blood flow restriction (BFR), training mask, and military gas mask. The experimental sessions were separated by washout periods ranging from 72 hours to one week to minimize potential carryover effects. Each session consisted of four sets of squat exercises comprising a total of 65 repetitions. Cardiovascular and physiological variables, including heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, oxygen cost, and RPE, were assessed before and immediately after exercise.
Results: Significant time effects were observed for heart rate, systolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product (RPP), and mean arterial pressure (p = 0.001). Perceived exertion and RPP showed significant condition, time, and interaction effects (p = 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure increased significantly only with the military gas mask (p = 0.002). The training mask elicited the highest perceived exertion, whereas the military gas mask showed the highest RPP. Mean arterial pressure increased significantly in all conditions except blood flow restriction.
Conclusion: Resistance exercise performed with training masks, military gas masks, or blood flow restriction elicited significant acute cardiovascular and perceptual responses in young male military personnel. The training mask was associated with the highest perceived exertion, whereas the military gas mask showed the highest rate-pressure product. These findings suggest distinct physiological responses across exercise conditions; however, further research is needed to establish their long-term effects on cardiovascular adaptations and physical performance.
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