scholarly journals The Evolution of Blood Flow Restricted Exercise

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo D. S. Freitas ◽  
Murat Karabulut ◽  
Michael G. Bemben
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Safe Technique ◽  
Mechanisms Of Adaptation ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Heavy Loads ◽  
And Function ◽  
External Loads

The use of blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise has become an accepted alternative approach to improve skeletal muscle mass and function and improve cardiovascular function in individuals that are not able to or do not wish to use traditional exercise protocols that rely on heavy loads and high training volumes. BFR exercise involves the reduction of blood flow to working skeletal muscle by applying a flexible cuff to the most proximal portions of a person’s arms or legs that results in decreased arterial flow to the exercising muscle and occluded venous return back to the central circulation. Safety concerns, especially related to the cardiovascular system, have not been consistently reported with a few exceptions; however, most researchers agree that BFR exercise can be a relatively safe technique for most people that are free from serious cardiovascular disease, as well as those with coronary artery disease, and also for people suffering from chronic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and osteoarthritis. Potential mechanisms to explain the benefits of BFR exercise are still mostly speculative and may require more invasive studies or the use of animal models to fully explore mechanisms of adaptation. The setting of absolute resistive pressures has evolved, from being based on an individual’s systolic blood pressure to a relative measure that is based on various percentages of the pressures needed to totally occlude blood flow in the exercising limb. However, since several other issues remain unresolved, such as the actual external loads used in combination with BFR, the type of cuff used to induce the blood flow restriction, and whether the restriction is continuous or intermittent, this paper will attempt to address these additional concerns.

Does Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training Improve Knee-Extensor Strength, Function, and Reduce Patient-Reported Pain? A Critically Appraised Topic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Matthew Zaremba ◽  
Joel Martin ◽  
Marcie Fyock-Martin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Knee Injury ◽  
Strength Function ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
And Function ◽  
Knee Pathology

Clinical Scenario: Knee pathologies often require rehabilitation to address the loss of knee-extensor (KE) strength, function, and heightened pain. However, in the early stages of rehabilitation, higher loads may be contraindicated. Blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance training does not require high loads and has been used clinically to promote strength improvements in a variety of injured populations. BFR resistance training may be an effective alternative to high-intensity resistance training during early rehabilitation of knee pathologies. Clinical Question: Following a knee injury, does BFR resistance training improve KE strength and function, and reduce patient-reported pain? Summary of Key Findings: Four randomized controlled trial studies met the inclusion criteria. Each included study evaluated the use of BFR resistance training on knee pathologies and the effects on KE strength, functional outcomes, and pain compared with high- or low-load resistance training. All 4 studies reported significant improvements in KE strength, function, and pain through a variety of outcome measures, following BFR resistance training use as the treatment. Clinical Bottom Line: There is consistent evidence to support the use of BFR resistance training as a treatment intervention following knee injury and as a means to improve KE strength and function and to reduce pain. Strength of Recommendation: Grade A evidence supporting the use of BFR resistance training for improvement in KE strength and function, and the reduction of patient-reported pain following an acute or chronic knee pathology.

scholarly journals Effects of combined treatment with blood flow restriction and low-current electrical stimulation on muscle hypertrophy in rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 1288-1296
Author(s):  
Madoka Yoshikawa ◽  
Takeshi Morifuji ◽  
Tomohiro Matsumoto ◽  
Noriaki Maeshige ◽  
Minoru Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Hypertrophy ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy

This study aimed to clarify the effects of a combined treatment comprising blood flow restriction and low-current electrical stimulation on skeletal muscle hypertrophy in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into control (Cont), blood flow restriction (Bfr), electrical stimulation (Es), or Bfr with Es (Bfr + Es) groups. Pressure cuffs (80 mmHg) were placed around the thighs of Bfr and Bfr + Es rats. Low-current Es was applied to calf muscles in the Es and Bfr + Es rats. In experiment 1, a 1-day treatment regimen (5-min stimulation, followed by 5-min rest) was delivered four times to study the acute effects. In experiment 2, the same treatment regimen was delivered three times/wk for 8 wk. Body weight, muscle mass, changes in maximal isometric contraction, fiber cross-sectional area of the soleus muscle, expression of phosphorylated and total-ERK1/2, phosphorylated-rpS6 Ser235/236, phosphorylated and total Akt, and phosphorylated-rpS6 Ser240/244 were measured. Bfr and Es treatment alone failed to induce muscle hypertrophy and increase the expression of phosphorylated rpS6 Ser240/244. Combined Bfr + Es upregulated muscle mass, increased the fiber cross-sectional area, and increased phosphorylated rpS6 Ser240/244 expression and phosphorylated rpS6 Ser235/236 expression compared with controls. Combined treatment with Bfr and low-current Es can induce muscle hypertrophy via activation of two protein synthesis signaling pathways. This treatment should be introduced for older patients with sarcopenia and others with muscle weakness. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated the acute and chronic effect of low-current electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction on skeletal muscle hypertrophy and the mechanisms controlling the hypertrophic response. Low-current electrical stimulation could not induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy, but a combination treatment did. Blood lactate and growth hormone levels were increased in the early response. Moreover, activation of ERK1/2 and mTOR pathways were observed in both the acute and chronic response, which contribute to muscle hypertrophy.

scholarly journals Low-load resistance training to task failure with and without blood flow restriction: muscular functional and structural adaptations

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (2) ◽  
pp. R284-R295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Pignanelli ◽  
Heather L. Petrick ◽  
Fatemeh Keyvani ◽  
George J. F. Heigenhauser ◽  
Joe Quadrilatero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Load Resistance ◽  
Muscle Endurance ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Muscle Adaptations ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Adaptations

The application of blood flow restriction (BFR) during resistance exercise is increasingly recognized for its ability to improve rehabilitation and for its effectiveness in increasing muscle hypertrophy and strength among healthy populations. However, direct comparison of the skeletal muscle adaptations to low-load resistance exercise (LL-RE) and low-load BFR resistance exercise (LL-BFR) performed to task failure is lacking. Using a within-subject design, we examined whole muscle group and skeletal muscle adaptations to 6 wk of LL-RE and LL-BFR training to repetition failure. Muscle strength and size outcomes were similar for both types of training, despite ~33% lower total exercise volume (load × repetition) with LL-BFR than LL-RE (28,544 ± 1,771 vs. 18,949 ± 1,541 kg, P = 0.004). After training, only LL-BFR improved the average power output throughout the midportion of a voluntary muscle endurance task. Specifically, LL-BFR training sustained an 18% greater power output from baseline and resulted in a greater change from baseline than LL-RE (19 ± 3 vs. 3 ± 4 W, P = 0.008). This improvement occurred despite histological analysis revealing similar increases in capillary content of type I muscle fibers following LL-RE and LL-BFR training, which was primarily driven by increased capillary contacts (4.53 ± 0.23 before training vs. 5.33 ± 0.27 and 5.17 ± 0.25 after LL-RE and LL-BFR, respectively, both P < 0.05). Moreover, maximally supported mitochondrial respiratory capacity increased only in the LL-RE leg by 30% from baseline ( P = 0.006). Overall, low-load resistance training increased indexes of muscle oxidative capacity and strength, which were not further augmented with the application of BFR. However, performance on a muscle endurance test was improved following BFR training.

A Comprehensive Nonoperative Rehabilitation Program Including Blood Flow Restriction for a Talus Fracture in a Professional Hockey Player: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-130
Author(s):  
Stephanie Di Lemme ◽  
Jon Sanderson ◽  
Richard G. Celebrini ◽  
Geoffrey C. Dover
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Talus Fracture ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Hockey Player ◽  
First Case ◽  
Fracture Management ◽  
Professional Hockey ◽  
And Function

A 22-year-old male professional hockey player sustained a nondisplaced talus fracture. We present a comprehensive nonsurgical rehabilitation that includes blood flow restriction (BFR) training. Pain and function measures improved throughout the rehabilitation. Lower limb circumference did not change postinjury. The patient returned to play in less than 7 weeks, while current talar fracture management protocols indicate surgical fixation and 6 weeks of immobilization. BFR training may be useful in injury rehabilitation, negating muscle atrophy and increasing muscle strength while allowing the patient to exercise at relatively low loads. This is the first case of BFR training implemented in early fracture rehabilitation of an athlete.

scholarly journals The effects of practical vascular blood flow restriction training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. P18 ◽  
Author(s):  
John O'Halloran ◽  
Bill Campbell ◽  
Nicholas Martinez ◽  
Shane O’Connor ◽  
Jonathan Fuentes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Muscle Hypertrophy ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
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