2021 ISAKOS Biennial Congress Paper
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy for Muscular Strength, Hypertrophy and Endurance in Healthy and Special Populations: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Edward Perera, BSc, MBBS, London, London UNITED KINGDOM
Ming Zhu, MD Cand., London UNITED KINGDOM
Nolan Horner, MD, Hamilton, ON CANADA
Asheesh Bedi, MD, Ann Arbor, MI UNITED STATES
Olufemi R. Ayeni, MD, PhD, MSc, FRCSC, Hamilton, ON CANADA
Moin Khan, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Hamilton, ON CANADA
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CANADA
FDA Status Not Applicable
Summary
BFR training has demonstrated potential for increasing muscular strength, hypertrophy and endurance.
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of BFR training protocols relative to other forms of training on muscle strength, hypertrophy and endurance.
Data Sources: Systematic searches of Medline, Embase, PubMed were performed using relevant search terms. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
Main Results: 53 randomized controlled trials were included in the review with 31 included in meta-analyses. For muscular strength comparing low-intensity BFR (LIBFR) training to high-intensity resistance training (HIRT), pooled mean difference (MD) for 1 repetition maximum was 5.34 kg (95% CI: 2.58 – 8.09, p < 0.01) favoring HIRT. When comparing LI-BFR training to HIRT for torque, MD was 6.35 Nm (95% CI: 0.5 – 12.3, p = 0.04) also favoring HIRT. However, comparing LI-BFR to low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) for torque there was a MD of 9.94 Nm (95% CI: 5.43 – 14.45, p < 0.01) favoring BFR training. Assessing muscle hypertrophy, the overall MD in cross-sectional area (CSA) was 0.96 cm2 (95% CI: 0.21 - 1.7, p = 0.01) favoring pooled BFR training protocols compared to non-occlusive training protocols. For assessment of endurance, VO2 Maximum demonstrated a greater mean increase of 0.37 mL/kg/min (95% CI: -0.97 - 3.17, p =0.64) in BFR endurance training compared to endurance training alone.
Conclusion
BFR training has demonstrated potential for increasing muscular strength, hypertrophy and endurance. Comparing LI-BFR training to HIRT, HIRT was a significantly better training modality for increasing muscle hypertrophy and strength. However, LI-BFR was superior when compared to a similar low-intensity protocols.