These results may indicate that while heavy lifting may provide slightly greater muscle strength improvement, BFR training is a good option for patients who cannot incorporate heavy lifting into their recovery process. However, the effectiveness was slightly less than the strength gained with heavy training as part of the rehabilitation process. One notable study compared findings from several smaller studies and reported that using BFR training in patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery resulted in moderate strength increases. With the widespread implementation of BFR training in physical therapy clinics and its use among Olympic athletes, it is clear that it offers some physical benefits. This is similar to the stress and hypoxia that muscles experience when lifting heavy weights, so this phenomenon is imitated with the use of the tourniquet around the extremity. When the blood flow to the muscles is cut off, the muscle is stressed and hypoxic, meaning that it is not receiving enough oxygen. First, muscle hypertrophy, or growth, occurs because of the excess stress and tension placed on the muscle from the tourniquet. Several factors contribute to the underlying mechanism behind BFR training, but the main factor is muscle stress.
The use of BFR training is especially beneficial when individuals are unable to train at an intense level, such as after an injury or surgery, so this practice is often used as part of physical therapy regimens.
The theory behind this practice is that the same benefits associated with lifting heavy weights can be obtained with less intense workouts and lifting lighter weights. This technique involves tight bands or cuffs, similar to “tourniquets”, that are placed on the arms or legs to cut off blood flow while lifting weights. What is blood flow restriction training?īlood flow restriction training is a muscle-strengthening technique often used for physical rehabilitation after injury to prevent muscle atrophy, or wasting. This moment of wonder led to many years of research and, ultimately, the development of blood flow restriction (BFR) training, which has become quite popular in the last few decades. Though safe for most, BFR training may not be recommended for individuals with underlying cardiac disorders, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
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