The impact of cuff width and biological sex on cuff preference and the perceived discomfort to blood-flow-restricted arm exercise

Abstract

Blood flow restricted exercise with a narrow cuff results in less discomfort than a wider cuff inflated to the same relative pressure. This effect is not observed at rest and suggests that the wide cuff produces a differential environment compared to a narrow cuff when combined with exercise. Additionally, applying a pressure meant for a narrow cuff to a wide cuff augments the applied pressure and subsequent discomfort to blood flow restricted exercise.