BFR Training on a Bike to Augment RC Strength, Leg Strength, and VO2 Peak

This study will randomize healthy adult subjects to one of two groups: a BFR biking group that performs 10 min of cycling at 40% heart rate reserve (HRR) with bilateral occlusion applied to the proximal thighs (80% LOP) or to a non-biking BFR group perform 10 min of cycling at 40% HRR. After each cycling session subjects will perform 3x15 of the scaption exercise and 3x15 sidelying external rotation with their dominant upper extremity. They will initially start training the shoulder at 30% of 1RM (estimated from an equation formula) for the first 2 weeks followed by increasing training load by 1lbs each exercise every 2 weeks. The training program will last 6 weeks (3x week for 6 weeks, total of 18 sessions).

Pretest and posttests will include: VO2 peak testing on a cycle using Cosmed metabolic cart, hand held dynamometry to measure strength of the supraspinatus and external rotators of the shoulder using traditional manual muscle test positions, and on a separate day 10RM testing on a leg press for the dominant lower extremity.