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The purpose of this investigation was to examine muscle excitation at maximal running capacity without blood flow restriction (BFR) relative to submaximal running bouts with BFR. Fourteen college-aged males randomly completed four, three-minute running bouts at 70, 80, and 90% of peak speed with BFR (70% BFR , 80% BFR , and 90% BFR ) and without BFR at 100% of their peak speed (100% NOBFR ). The surface electromyographic amplitudes of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis muscles were assessed. Muscle excitation of the vastus lateralis was similar across most bouts; however, it was lower during the 70% BFR compared to 90% BFR (Meandiff =-4.67±- 0.22%; Bayesian 95% high-density interval [HDI]: - 7.07 to - 2.2) and 100% NOBFR (Meandiff =-2.94±- 0.27%; 95% HDI:-5.33 to-0.50) bouts. For the rectus femoris, muscle excitation largely increased across running speeds (70% BFR <80% BFR < 90% BFR ; 90% BFR < 100% NOBFR ). For the vastus medialis, muscle excitation was lower during the 70% BFR compared to 90% BFR (Meandiff =-8.15±- 0.28%; 95% HDI:-15.3 to-0.89). Submaximal running with BFR increased muscle excitation responses for the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, such that muscle excitation was similar to 100% BFR , despite 10-20% reductions in running speed. The rectus femoris muscle, however, was not affected by BFR during the submaximal running bouts., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)