BACKGROUND: Prolonged exposure to microgravity leads to a progressive loss in muscular strength, endurance and aerobic capacity (VO2). Rowing exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) could be a supplemental countermeasure to maintain pre-flight muscle and VO2 function during prolonged spaceflight missions. METHODS: Twenty moderately trained male participants completed five sets of rowing exercise with and without BFR. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), surface muscle electromyography (sEMG), whole blood lactate ([La−]b), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze HR, BP, [La−]b and SEMG and a paired sample t-test was used to analyze RPE. RESULTS: HR and RPE showed significant increases during BFR compared to CON (F(2,38) = 5.220, P = .010) and (t(19) = -5.878, P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Exercise intensity and cuff inflation pressure used was sufficient to elicit increased cardiovascular responses.