The low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction improves vascular endothelial function resulting in the reduction of arterial stiffness in the healthy elderly

Abstract Background Resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) is a physiological ischaemic training method. Before it is applied to patients with coronary artery disease, it must be proven safe and effective. Methods Twenty-four healthy adult males were randomly assigned to three groups: the resistance training (RT) group, low-pressure BFR and resistance training (LP-RT) group and high-pressure BFR and resistance training (HP-RT) group. The training protocol was 20 times/min/set, with a 2-min break, five sets/day and 5 d/week for 8 weeks. Cardiac function, haemodynamics and vascular endothelial function were evaluated before and after the first training and the last training. Results There were no significant differences among groups before and after training. After 8 weeks of training, the resting heart rate (p<0.05) of the three groups significantly decreased (p<0.05). The rate–pressure product in the LP-RT group significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with before training. Just after the last training, heart rate (p<0.05) and cardiac output (p<0.05) in the LP-RT and HP-RT groups significantly decreased compared with those just after the first training. At the end of the experiment, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; p<0.01), soluble VEGF receptor (VEGFR) (p<0.05) and interleukin-6 (p<0.01) significantly increased, except for soluble VEGFR in the RT group. Conclusions Low-intensity resistance training with BFR moderately alters cardiac function. The expression levels of proteins related to vascular endothelial function have significantly changed. Both findings suggest that low-intensity resistance training with BFR may be safely and effectively applied to patients with coronary artery disease.

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The Resistance Training with Blood Flow Reduction and Vascular Endothelial Function in Healthy Old Volunteers

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000402614.48174.fa ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 43 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 936

Author(s):

Ryosuke Shimizu ◽

Kazuki Hotta ◽

Naoko Aiba ◽

Daisuke Kamekawa ◽

Ayako Akiyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Vascular Endothelial Function ◽

Flow Reduction ◽

Blood Flow Reduction

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Early phase adaptations in muscle strength and hypertrophy as a result of low-intensity blood flow restriction resistance training

European Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1007/s00421-018-3918-8 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 118 (9) ◽

pp. 1831-1843 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Ethan C. Hill ◽

Terry J. Housh ◽

Joshua L. Keller ◽

Cory M. Smith ◽

Richard J. Schmidt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Early Phase ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity

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Low‐intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and arterial stiffness in humans: A systematic review

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports ◽

10.1111/sms.13902 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samuel Amorim ◽

Nicholas Rolnick ◽

Brad J. Schoenfeld ◽

Per Aagaard

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity

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Effects of Low-Load, Elastic Band Resistance Training Combined With Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Size and Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glu084 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 70 (8) ◽

pp. 950-958 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Tomohiro Yasuda ◽

Kazuya Fukumura ◽

Yusuke Uchida ◽

Hitomi Koshi ◽

Haruko Iida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Elastic Band ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Load

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The effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction on muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy and functionality in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review with meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0259574 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. e0259574

Author(s):

Leonardo Peterson dos Santos ◽

Rafaela Cavalheiro do Espírito Santo ◽

Thiago Rozales Ramis ◽

Juliana Katarina Schoer Portes ◽

Rafael Mendonça da Silva Chakr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and osteoarthritis(OA) patients showed systemic manifestations that may lead to a reduction in muscle strength, muscle mass and, consequently, to a reduction in functionality. On the other hand, moderate intensity resistance training(MIRT) and high intensity resistance training(HIRT) are able to improve muscle strength and muscle mass in RA and OA without affecting the disease course. However, due to the articular manifestations caused by these diseases, these patients may present intolerance to MIRT or HIRT. Thus, the low intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction(LIRTBFR) may be a new training strategy for these populations. Objective To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to verify the effects of LIRTBFR on muscle strength, muscle mass and functionality in RA and OA patients. Materials and methods A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials(RCTs), published in English, between 1957–2021, was conducted using MEDLINE(PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Library. The methodological quality was assessed using Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB2.0. Mean difference(MD) or standardized mean difference(SMD) and 95% confidence intervals(CI) were pooled using a random-effects model. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Five RCTs were included. We found no significant differences in the effects between LIRTBFR, MIRT and HIRT on muscle strength, which was assessed by tests of quadriceps strength(SMD = -0.01[-0.57, 0.54], P = 0.96; I² = 58%) and functionality measured by tests with patterns similar to walking(SMD = -0.04[-0.39, 0.31], P = 0.82; I² = 0%). Compared to HIRT, muscle mass gain after LIRTBFR was reported to be similar. When comparing LIRTBFR with low intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction(LIRT), the effect LIRTBFR was reported to be higher on muscle strength, which was evaluated by the knee extension test. Conclusion LIRTBFR appears to be a promising strategy for gains in muscle strength, muscle mass and functionality in a predominant sample of RA and OA women.

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