Utilizing Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Aerobic Capacity in Physically Active and Injured Individuals: A Critically Appraised Topic

Purpose: To determine if, in physically active individuals, low-intensity Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is more effective than training without BFR at improving measures of aerobic capacity. Methods: A database search was conducted for articles that matched inclusion criteria (minimum level 2 evidence, physically active participants, comparison of low-intensity BFR to no BFR training, comparison of pre-post testing with aerobic fitness or performance, training protocols >2 weeks, studies published after 2010) by two authors and assessed by one using the PEDro scale (a minimum of 5/10 was required) to ensure level 2 quality studies that were then analyzed. Results: Four studies met all inclusion criteria. Three of the studies found significant improvements in aerobic capacity (VO2max) using BFR compared to no BFR. While the fourth study reported significant improvements in time to exertion (TTE) training with BFR, this same study did not find significant improvements in measures of aerobic capacity with BFR training. All compared BFR to non-BFR training. It was noted that high-intensity training without BFR was superior to both low-intensity training with and without BFR with respect to improvements in aerobic capacity. Conclusions: Moderate evidence exists to support the use of low-intensity BFR training to improve measures of aerobic capacity in physically active individuals over not using BRF. Clinicians seeking to maintain aerobic capacity in their patients who are unable, for various reasons, to perform high levels of aerobic activity may find low-intensity BFR training useful as a substitution while still receiving improvements in measures of aerobic capacity.

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Blood flow restriction - short insight of the method

Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal ◽

10.2478/tperj-2019-0008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (23) ◽

pp. 11-15

Author(s):

Tiberiu Puta ◽

Alexandra Mihaela Stănilă ◽

Remus Datcu

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

High Intensity ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Load Resistance ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

High Intensity Training ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Intensity Training

AbstractIntroduction: The blood flow restriction method is a training method that is based on the partial occlusion of circulation during a workout. This technique combines low-intensity exercise with the occlusion of the bloodstream which produces results similar to high-intensity training.Aim: We aimed to identify the areas in which this method is applicable, its potential benefits and effects, recommendations regarding the rules of use for maximal effects (dosage, intensity, etc.), and also possible contraindications or warnings regarding the use of this method.Methods: We have analyzed a number of 20 articles on this topic from the field literature of the last 10 years, using ”google academic” as a search engine.Results: After this study we concluded that blood flow restriction is a method with wide applicability in the field of sports training, but also in the recovery process; however, it requires attention in choosing the necessary equipment. For healthy individuals, best training adaptations occur when combining low-load blood flow restriction resistance exercise with traditional high-load resistance exercise.Conclusion: Low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction is as effective as high-intensity training (for strength and muscle mass gains), but only the high-intensity protocol promotes significant hypotensive responses after exercise.

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OXYGEN UPTAKE AND RESISTANCE EXERCISE METHODS: THE USE OF BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION

Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte ◽

10.1590/1517-869220182405180336 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 343-346

Author(s):

Adenilson Targino de Araújo Júnior ◽

Maria do Socorro Cirilo-Sousa ◽

Gabriel Rodrigues Neto ◽

Rodrigo Poderoso ◽

Geraldo Veloso Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

High Intensity ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Post Exercise ◽

High Intensity Training ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Intensity Training

ABSTRACT Introduction: The literature has shown that a gap is identified regarding the acute effects of blood flow restriction training on aerobic variables. Objective: to analyze oxygen consumption (VO2) during and after two resistance training sessions: traditional high intensity and low intensity with blood flow restriction. Methods: After one-repetition maximum tests, eight male participants (25.7±3 years) completed the two experimental protocols, separated by 72 hours, in a randomized order: a) high intensity training at 80% of 1RM (HIRE) and b) low intensity training at 20% of 1RM combined with blood flow restriction (LIRE + BFR). Three sets of four exercises (bench press, squat, barbell bent-over row and deadlift) were performed. Oxygen consumption and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption were measured. Results: the data showed statistically significant differences between the traditional high intensity training and low intensity training with blood flow restriction, with higher values for traditional training sessions, except for the last five minutes of the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Oxygen consumption measured during training was higher (p = 0.001) for the HIRE (20.32 ± 1.46 mL·kg-1·min-1) compared to the LIRE + BFR (15.65 ± 1.14 mL·kg-1·min-1). Conclusion: Oxygen uptakes rates during and after the exercise sessions were higher for the high intensity training methodology. However, when taking into account the volume of training provided by both methods, these differences were attenuated. Level of Evidence III - Non-consecutive studies, or studies without consistently applied reference stand.

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Functional Muscle Adaptations Following High-intensity Training, Low-intensity Blood-flow Restriction Training, Or A Combined Approach

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000386149.31603.8a ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 741

Author(s):

Tomohiro Yasuda ◽

Riki Ogasawara ◽

Mikako Sakamaki ◽

Hayao Ozaki ◽

Yoshiaki Sato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

High Intensity ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Combined Approach ◽

High Intensity Training ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Muscle Adaptations ◽

Intensity Training

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Bone biochemical marker response to a plyometric exercise session with and without blood flow restriction in inactive adolescent females

Journal of Birjand University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.32592/jbirjandunivmedsci.2021.28.1.102 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Bone Metabolism ◽

High Intensity ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Blood Flow Restriction ◽

Exercise Session ◽

Flow Restriction ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Plyometric Exercise ◽

Intensity Training

Background and Aims: Physical activity and blood flow restriction (BFR) training can affect bone metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a plyometric exercise session with and without blood flow restriction on bone metabolism markers, such as bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1collagen (CTX), as the markers of bone formation and destruction, respectively, among inactive adolescent females. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest. The participants (n=48) were randomly divided into four groups of high-intensity training (n=12), low-intensity training (n=12), low-intensity training+restricted blood flow (n=12), and control (n=12). The training protocol included 68 jumping movements. The intensity of the exercise was less than two and more than four times the body weight for low intensity groups with and without obstruction and the high-intensity group, respectively. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after the exercise to evaluate BALP and CTX. Data analysis was performed using dependent t-test and one-way ANOVA. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A significant decrease was observed in CTX serum levels in high-intensity exercise group (P=0.04) and low-intensity exercise group with limited blood flow (P=0.03), compared to those in the pre-test. However, there was no significant within-group and intergroup changes in serum levels of bone formation marker (P≥0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, a low-intensity plyometric exercise session with blood BFR can be as effective as high-intensity plyometric exercises in altering bone metabolism (reducing bone absorption marker).

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