Having read this following abstract got me considering hitting 5x5 occluded for my cruise.
Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2013 Apr 23. [Epub ahead of print]
Three Weeks of Occlusion Training Can Improve Strength and Power in Trained Athletes.
Cook CJ, Kilduff LP, Beaven CM.
Source
United Kingdom Sports Council, London, UK; Hamlyn Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, London, UK; Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Bath, London, UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To examine the effects of moderate load exercise with and without blood flow restriction on strength, power and repeated sprint ability, along with acute and chronic salivary hormonal parameters.
METHODS:
Twenty male semi-professional rugby union athletes were randomized to a lower-body blood flow restricted intervention (an occlusion cuff inflated to 180 mmHg worn intermittently on the proximal thighs) or a control intervention that trained without occlusion in a cross-over design. Experimental sessions were performed three times a week for three weeks with 5 sets of 5 repetitions of bench press, leg squat and pull-ups performed at 70% of 1-repetition maximum.
RESULTS:
Greater improvements were observed (occlusion training vs control) in bench press (5.4±2.6 vs 3.3±1.4kg), squat (7.8±2.1 vs 4.3±1.4kg), maximum sprint time (-0.03±0.03 vs -0.01±0.02s) and leg power (168±105 vs 68±50W). Greater exercise-induced salivary testosterone (Effect Size: 0.84 to 0.61) and cortisol responses (ES: 0.65 to 0.20) were observed following the occlusion intervention sessions compared to the non-occluded controls; however the acute cortisol increases were attenuated across the training block..
CONCLUSIONS:
Occlusion training can potentially improve the rate of strength training gains and fatigue resistance in trained athletes, possibly allowing greater gains from lower loading which could be of benefit during high training loads, in competitive seasons, or in a rehabilitative setting. The clear improvement in bench press strength resulting from lower-body occlusion suggests a systemic effect of blood flow restricted training.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23628627
70% will give my CNS some well deserved rest after yet another amazing 3.0 feast run.. Will be hitting some dips, jammer presses, squats, chins, and curls instead of the stuff in this trial. And to make it all a bit more relaxing I'll be doing an AB-split and not full body 3xweekly.
In the middle of feast atm, but will report back how this occluded cruise turns out.. Tho I will be sorry to see my normal cruise routine go.. It has served me so well so far. [/url]