Blood Flow Restriction Training: Understanding the Safety, Mechanisms, and Efficacy, 2nd Edition: Summary 8
Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training
INTRODUCTION
BFRT offers a wide range of potential benefits when used as an adjunct to low intensity resistance exercise (LIRE) or aerobic exercise (AE). LEARNING TIP! Some of the key benefits that have been demonstrated through research include: • Increased muscle mass • Improved strength • Enhanced aerobic capacity • Faster recovery • Reduced pain • Potential improvements in bone health Benefits can be seen as quickly as 2-4 weeks. Importantly, these benefits can often be achieved using much lower loads by creating metabolic stress. Metabolic stress induces physiologic adaptations without causing any of the normal muscle damage from the mechanical stress of high intensity resistance training. Traditionally, strength gains require loading of 75-100% of 1 rep max. With BFRT, these results can be achieved with as low at 20-40% 1 rep max . This makes BFRT particularly valuable for populations that may not be able to tolerate high-load training, such as those recovering from injury or surgery. Disuse of muscles and inability to load after injury or surgery can lead to a 12% reduction in strength each week, making BFRT even more valuable in this population. • Possible aid in weight loss • Improvements in tendon mechanical and morphological properties
INTRODUCTION TO BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING
Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is an exercise technique that is transforming how exercise therapy is prescribed in physical therapy and other fields . BFRT involves partially restricting blood flow to muscles during exercise using specialized cuffs or bands. This restriction causes muscles to experience fatigue, swelling, and oxygen depletion more quickly than during normal exercise. The body responds to this restriction by sending messages to the brain that the limbs are not getting enough oxygen, which triggers responses from the endocrine system. This temporary decrease in oxygen levels, while safe when applied properly, is essential for BFRT to produce its beneficial effects. BFRT has been shown through extensive research to be safe and effective when used appropriately. Over 800 scientific articles have been published on BFRT in the last 10 years alone, demonstrating its efficacy and safety for diverse populations ranging from young athletes to older adults. History of BFRT BFRT has been around for decades, starting as early as the 1970s in Japan (known as KAATSU). More research started coming out in the 1990s and KAATSU started to become more widely practiced by the 2000s. It was brought to the U.S. in 2011 when the military began using it for rehabilitation of veterans. By 2018, the APTA stated BFRT was within the scope of practice for physical therapists. It was then made more popular by the body building world for its role in “muscle pumping.”
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