Blood flow restriction training trial#

Most research to date uses a defined percentage of total arterial occlusion pressure, which is not a realistic expectation of the practical application of BFR outside of a laboratory setting. When BFR is used by trained professionals it is typically with specialist equipment to accurately regulate the applied occlusion pressure. Simple tourniquets can be unsafe as they do not allow for standardisation of limb placement or the reproducible determination of occlusion pressure. Pneumatic cuffs allow for standardisation of occlusion pressure and limb placement, but are expensive (£350–£10,000) and require specialist equipment and supervision that limits their wider application. Current application of BFR involves either the use of a pneumatic cuff or a simple tourniquet (e.g., rubber tubing). BFR involves the partial occlusion of limb vasculature using a torniquet or cuff, positioned at the most proximal part of the limb being trained. Further work is required to investigate the efficacy of garment-integrated BFR and determine its equivalence or superiority compared to existing BFR methods.īlood flow restriction (BFR) training originated in Japan and is known as “kaatsu” training, which translates as “added pressure”.

Blood flow restriction training trial#

Garment-integrated BFR is feasible and has no signal of important harm in the upper limb of healthy adults, and could proceed to a future trial with stop/go criteria for randomisation. Mean arm girth and number of prescribed repetitions completed were unchanged. Mean push-ups to volitional failure increased by 40% (mean change=8.0, 95% CI 6, 10, d=1.40). Minimal adverse events were reported one incident of localised bruising (0.36%, 95% CI 0.06%, 2.0%) and three incidences of excessive pain during or post-exercise from two separate participants (1.07%, 95% CI 0.03%, 3.1%). Participants were successfully recruited within three months and 278/280 sessions were successfully completed (adherence=99.3%, 95% CI 97.4%, 99.9%). Twenty-eight participants were included (15 men, 13 women mean age 31.6 years ) and 27 successfully completed the study.

Mean change, 95% CIs, and associated effect sizes were calculated for efficacy outcomes.

Feasibility and safety outcomes were reported descriptively or as a proportion with associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Efficacy was determined by measuring push-ups to volitional failure, arm girth, and number of prescribed repetitions completed. Safety was determined by recording adverse events and by monitoring for total arterial occlusion pressure using a fingertip pulse oximeter. Feasibility was determined by a priori defined thresholds for recruitment, adherence to the garment-integrated BFR programme, and data collection. Eligible participants completed a five-week garment-integrated BFR programme that involved completing two sessions per week. Physically active and otherwise healthy participants with no previous experience with BFR were sought. The primary aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of garment-integrated BFR in the upper limb of healthy adults, with a secondary aim of exploring safety and efficacy.

Garment-integrated BFR has the potential to reduce these barriers by lowering equipment demands and cost. Blood flow restriction training (BFR) has been demonstrated to increase muscle hypertrophy and strength, but has logistical and cost barriers.