Differences in Saga Fitness and B Strong BFR bands - impact on exercise heart rate
The focus so often with blood flow restriction (BFR) is placed on muscle strength and size that its impact on the heart can unfortunately be put on the backburner. Does the heart respond similarly to exercise regardless of what type of BFR bands are used? The short answer is no, as wider BFR bands have been reported to cause a greater increase in heart rate (1), but I wanted to put it to the test.
I compared heart rate response to a standardized bike test with both Saga Fitness and B Strong BFR bands. Saga Fitness BFR bands are wider than B Strong, but they also possess different characteristics outlined below that can impact the test.
Differences between Saga Fitness and B Strong BFR Bands
A spin bike test was easiest to control for comparing the two types of BFR bands on the legs. I was able to set the same resistance, pedal at the same speed, and go for a 15 minute ride on two separate days. I used the Polar H10 heart rate monitor along with Garmin Connect to collect accurate data for the two rides.
What differences were seen with exercise heart rate?
My average heart rate over the duration of the 15 minute ride was 8 beats/min higher with the Saga Fitness BFR bands and my maximum heart rate was 12 beats/min higher. Due to their design, wider, more rigid BFR bands will inherently cause a greater change in exercise heart rate than BFR bands that are more narrow and flexible.
Keep in mind there are other variables can be changed to either heighten or lessen the heart rate response with blood flow restriction training. When you are working with your patients or clients the cuff design can push them one way or the other and you want to make sure you are pushing them in the right direction based on their individual needs.
If you are interested in more details on comparing the differences in the BFR bands and the spin bike test you can check out the video below.